Gyrfalcon

[RandyRFJP]

2017-02-19; Save Our American Raptors (SOAR) Presentation; Lockport Township (IL) High School "Wild Fest"



C&C is welcomed.

[Shadowman]

Looks natural except for the banks of lights in the eye reflection.

[RandyRFJP]

Looks natural except for the banks of lights in the eye reflection.

John, thanks both for viewing the photo and for your comment. The photo was taken inside a high school gymnasium, and I did notice the reflections in the falcon's eye from the lights. I didn't want to post-process them out and have the eyes completely dark, and I am not adept enough at post-processing to create artificial, "catch light" highlights...I think that's what they are called.

[Wavelength]

Well done shot

[bnnrcn]

Nice image Randy

[skitterbug]

He looks beautiful. He is colored differently - black and white feathers? - than the ones in our area. What species is he?
Nice pic indeed!

[RandyRFJP]

Well done shot

Thanks, Nandakumar. The falconer who was handling him was very patient while I photographed the bird.

[RandyRFJP]

Nice image Randy

I'm glad you liked the photo, Binnur. Thanks for your comment.

[RandyRFJP]

He looks beautiful. He is colored differently - black and white feathers? - than the ones in our area. What species is he?
Nice pic indeed!

His handler said the bird was a grey-morph, and that gyrfalcons have a wide variety of coloration, from white through brown. This bird had white- and grey-colored feathers. I was surprised, however, that the bird's beak had a slight bluish color to it. All gyrfalcons, scientifically, regardless of coloration, are known as the species Falco rusticolus. Thanks, Sandy, for you kind comment regarding the photo.

[JBW]

Hi Randy, my specialty is bugs rather than birds but We have a similar challenge: How to get rid of bright spots. It would be possible with cloning to remove the lower row and to choose which of the top row to retain.

[RandyRFJP]

Hi Randy, my specialty is bugs rather than birds but We have a similar challenge: How to get rid of bright spots. It would be possible with cloning to remove the lower row and to choose which of the top row to retain.

Thanks, Brian. To be honest, I hadn't thought of that approach. (I tend to over-analyze things...or so I'm frequently told!) Thanks for viewing the photo and for your work on it. Your single catchlight is much better than the multiple ones in the image as originally shot.

[JBW]

Thanks, Brian. To be honest, I hadn't thought of that approach. (I tend to over-analyze things...or so I'm frequently told!) Thanks for viewing the photo and for your work on it. Your single catchlight is much better than the multiple ones in the image as originally shot.

my pleasure

[IzzieK]

Beautiful shot, Randy...I like the pose/angle of the bird really and now that Brian had edited out the catchlights, it looks much better still. If one of these days you will be crossing the rivers across our landsn you might want to venture out to our bird sanctuary here. It is a very interesting place to go too. Once my fingers heals and I am allowed to carry more than 5 lbs, I am heading that way...weather permitting.

[RandyRFJP]

Beautiful shot, Randy...I like the pose/angle of the bird really and now that Brian had edited out the catchlights, it looks much better still. If one of these days you will be crossing the rivers across our landsn you might want to venture out to our bird sanctuary here. It is a very interesting place to go too. Once my fingers heals and I am allowed to carry more than 5 lbs, I am heading that way...weather permitting.

I'm glad you liked the photo, Izzie. Brian did a great job with the catch lights. I hope your injury heals quickly and the weather is fine so you can make the trip to the bird sanctuary. Thanks for the tip about the sanctuary. too!