A Buzzard Fly-by

I've seen buzzard's fairly often on my outings in my local area, and I've always wanted to get a decent shot of one.

Well, the K-x and my Tamron rose to the challenge this afternoon, and I'm quite pleased with the result. I've not applied any sharpening or noise reduction. I've cropped the shot of course, but not by a massive amount.




The object in the background is Hale Lighthouse on the Mersey Estuary.

Are you sure this is a buzzard, Bob? I'm no expert, but it doesn't look like one: the pattern under the wing doesn't look typical and it has a black moustache.

There are lots of bird experts on the site who will probably prove me wrong, though.

Whatever, it's a lovely shot!

nice shot of a peregrine falcon, the fastest animal on the planet clocked at over 250mph in stoop.

Hi Andrew - I'm not 100% sure; If an expert could confirm what bird this I would certainly appreciate it.

Seriously? A Peregrine? (I'd be very happy with that!)

yes
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/p/peregrine/index.aspx

Interesting! Buzzards are very well known in my area (hence my assumption), but I did'nt think Peregrin's were. Not that I'm an expert in matters such as these - as is clearly evident!

It is a peregrine. Great shot.

They're quite common in the Cheshire/Merseyside area, there's at least one that plucks pigeons out of the air when they're disturbed under Runcorn bridge by the sparrowhawks
Great shot BTW

Regards,

John

Thanks for the help guys - I'm very pleased to have caught a peregrine!

Buzzards are very common in the West Country: it's hard to go anywhere without seeing one, but peregrine's are much rarer. I've only ever seen about four!

This makes your achievement very special.

Well done, Bob!

Off topic a little, near me there is a Kingfisher nest with access on the opposite riverbank. The birds are regularly feeding the young at the moment but they are very fast. Wish I could get a shot as good as yours.

Well done getting that.

I think this is a Buzzard .. taken this morning at 6.30am on the way to work.

That's a great composition Mike - I love the shape of the tree.

Here are two more - the original with some sharpening applied. I'd like to see if you guys think it's an improvement, and whether or not i've overdone it.

The second is another shot I managed, though It was'nt as sharp as the first, so I've applied some sharpening to that also.