Thats IT! You cross that line, you're History!

[Wild Images]

Immature Pale Chanting Goshawk
Near Nossob
Kalahari.
D70 Sigma 120-300 F2.8
<5 m

[Ian]

Re: Thats IT! You cross that line, you're History!

Callie - a great expression! You must certainly be very proud to have caught that. How did you managed to get so close? If it's a young bird, does that mean it wasn't yet flying?

Ian

[Stephen]

Re: Thats IT! You cross that line, you're History!

Being a bit of a luddite when it comes to birds, I wonder why this one has such long legs, or is more a case of it being in short pants as its a young bird

Anyway could this be because its a wading variety and therefore a fish eater? Maybe this is contradicted by the apparent dry location of the Kalahari

Oh. loverly rim lighting and colour, suspect some flash used for fill in, I can't imagine your wife was holding a Lastolite

[Wild Images]

Re: Thats IT! You cross that line, you're History!

Callie - a great expression! You must certainly be very proud to have caught that. How did you managed to get so close? If it's a young bird, does that mean it wasn't yet flying?

Ian

Hi Ian
yes, I love this one. I shot about 100+ of him this late afternoon. He was in a tree on the left of the road, nice light right on him. I was hoping he would fly-off so that I could try and nail him taking off, be he was just cool and refused to fly. As we drove of, he flew cross the road and landed in the sand, now the sun in our face. I reversed, and he came forward to do inspection. These are big birds, up to 63 cm, and they take a couple of years to reach adult plumage. Very strong birds. BTW, you will not regocnise the adult because the plumage is pale grey and white, no browns at all.
Thanks for looking.
Callie

[Wild Images]

Re: Thats IT! You cross that line, you're History!

Being a bit of a luddite when it comes to birds, I wonder why this one has such long legs, or is more a case of it being in short pants as its a young bird

Anyway could this be because its a wading variety and therefore a fish eater? Maybe this is contradicted by the apparent dry location of the Kalahari

Oh. loverly rim lighting and colour, suspect some flash used for fill in, I can't imagine your wife was holding a Lastolite

Hi Stephen
These birds have no pantaloons on their lower legs, as you find in the Booted Eagle species. I love your wit, great remarks! This raptor is found in the drier western part of our country. He has a cousin in East Africa too, and both species often frequent Honey Badgers on their forraging trips, catching the odd prey item the bager misses or distrubes. Sun was in my face, yes, and I flashed him. Must get my wife trained with the reflected tho' Hope to get a nice shot of an adult next month when we will be there again. Magic place to be, the Kalahari.
Regards
Callie

[coupekid]

Re: Thats IT! You cross that line, you're History!

Beautiful capture, the goshawk definately has you in his sites here!
I love the golden glow of the background as well.

[Pops]

Re: Thats IT! You cross that line, you're History!

I can see he has some wonderful colours but I couldn't help but laugh at his pose.

[Tinka]

Re: Thats IT! You cross that line, you're History!

lovely image, love the pose and expression, and the title fits the bill.