600mm @ f8
ProviaF

I had been photographing young Gyrfalcons from a
blind and the only images I got of the adult female were
when she would bring them food. When she did she
just touched the ground to drop the prey and was off
again. It happened so quick that I only got one frame
each time.

In an effort to get an image of her I set up the blind by
one of her favorite lookout rocks but she never came to
it while the blind was there. I gave up on the blind and
simply sat down in the open, close to the nest, which
was empty as the young ones were already fledged.
Eventually she came and sat on one of her favorite
rocks close to where I was sitting. It had been a cloudy
and dull morning, but just as she landed on the rock
the sun broke through a hole in the clouds and
suddenly a potential photograph came alive before me.
I seized the opportunity, moments later she flew off and
it was all cloudy again.

Posted by Daniel Bergmann on Sat, 09/02/00 16:11
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Comments by Steven Sisti (stevesisti@aol.com) on Sat, 09/02/00 16:27 This is superb. In my opinion this is this best light to photograph in, a slight hint of direction, but diffuse enough to provide even illumination. Sharp as a tack, perfect exposure, beautiful texture in both falcon and rocks. I like it ! Steve Comments by Therese Chandler (lightchan@aol.com) on Sat, 09/02/00 16:48 Wow, what a marvelous image! The sharpness is great, and I love the glint in the Gyrofalcon's eye. This is a very minor nit, but I would've preferred the bird to be a bit more to the right of the frame giving it a bit more breathing room. I think it's funny that after using the blind didn't work, you were able just to sit out in the open and photograph this beautiful bird. Comments by Rick Del Prince (Rixpix1@aol.com) on Sat, 09/02/00 17:41 Simply Outstanding ! Comments by Richard Ditch (richditch@earthlink.net) on Sat, 09/02/00 17:43 I love it! The light is exquisite. Wonderful texture in the breast feathers and in the rock. Nice background. Comments by Roland DiSabatino (rdisabat@nycap.rr.com) on Sat, 09/02/00 17:46 Dan ... Incredibly super shot with a great story behind it. However, I couldn't keep my mits off it after reading Theresa comments, so just for the heck of it I tried a crop. It's not a recommendation or even my opinion of something better. It's just a thought ... 'cause I really like it just the way it is!!! Comments by Bill Leggett (Kanus2u@aol.com) on Sat, 09/02/00 19:21 Patience, and a good eye, and a bit more patience, and good bug spray (in my neighborhood). Daniel, I have found myself stalking some of my subjects for what seems at times hours, when only brief minutes pass. And like you ended up doing, I usually am hiding in plain sight. Most know I'm there long before I am aware of them, and more importantly, I usually retreat before they do - I love that aspect of wildlife photography. This falcon's posture and detail in the plumage set it apart. Good catch. Comments by Chris Ross (chrisx2@loxinfo.co.th) on Sat, 09/02/00 19:41 Daniel, patience is vital to good bird photography and it has paid off for you. Thelight is just about perfect as is the background. Comments by Nonn Panitvong (npanitvong@hotmail.com) on Sat, 09/02/00 21:01 All good things come to those who wait. This is a perfect shot! Comments by Keith Anderson (redtags@optushome.com.au) on Sun, 09/03/00 02:41 Perfect light perfect exposure perfect focus but bad framing spoils a beautiful shot. The bird is stuck smack bang in the middle. That may have worked with the bird looking at the camera but not with it looking to the left. The bird should have been placed to the right a bit more and this would have been perfect Comments by Keith Tate (kwtate@chartertn.net) on Sun, 09/03/00 03:21 Love the story that goes with the shot. Your patience paid off. The light and exposure are perfect. I agree with some of the other's on the composition. It would have been much better with the bird in the right side of the frame. Still nice shot.. Comments by Walter Strong (walstro@modesto.quik.com) on Sun, 09/03/00 11:35 Why didn't you have her put her other foot up on the rock? JUST KIDD'N!!! Outstanding shot, hope to see more. Comments by Walter Strong (walstro@modesto.quik.com) on Sun, 09/03/00 11:38 After viewing this foto I just HAD to go look at your other postings, I'm very impressed with your work. Comments by walter dance (bearfolk@sympatico.ca) on Sun, 09/03/00 12:25 Marvelous! I think the idea of a bit of a crop ooff of the right side would only serve to improve an already great image. Comments by Christiane Hancock (Coachchrissy@coachchrissy.net) on Sun, 09/03/00 12:40 I rather like the "empty space". To my eyes, there is a good balance between the rock space and the empty one, the bird having different proportions. Also there are three different strong patterns . Very nice. Comments by Toni Lankerd (a_snapshot@hotmail.com) on Sun, 09/03/00 18:37 I have no nitpicks on this one preferring the original.........great lighting, excellent details. Comments by Jon Winslow (dadad@gis.net) on Mon, 09/04/00 18:05 Excellent shot, the head positioning with her looking off into the distance makes the shot. Your patience and quick reactions paid off well.