A quick drive on Raptor Route *IMAGE HEAVY*

[Aloicious]

I have a little route I've discovered over the past year or so that has just an extraordinarily high amount of raptors along it, some days are better than others, but I always see something depending on how far I want to drive along it. I went halfway today, and it was a prime example of WHY I call this the Raptor Route...for each bird I was able to photograph, there was easily 3 or so I missed...it was a nice overcast day which gave a nice soft light on everything, but also made for some boring backgrounds, oh well...there are also very minimal places to perch that aren't man made (telephone/power poles, fenceposts, etc) so I took what I could get....these were all seen over the course of roughly 50 miles and ~3hrs.

First was the Common Raven (?, the hook in the bill and the white plumage is what brings the question mark) I know it's not a true raptor, but they inhabit the same area and are fun to shoot...

1

Then there was a Eagle in the distance (its a heavy crop but I think its a juvenile baldie)

2

Then there were the Red Tail Hawks:

3

4

5

Then there was a Golden Eagle (!never been this close to a wild one before! I followed him/her from power pole to power pole for probably 20 mins straight)

6

7

And finally there were a TON of rough legged Hawks:

8

9

10

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Which brings us to the tail end of 2013..

12

 

[matthewo]

Nice, wish i had a better raptor route. Mine you would be lucky to see a few at distance.

The birds colors are nice and pop well with the almost white background

 

[baturn]

All are outstanding, but #4 (the takeoff) is my fav in this set.

 

[pjaye]

You take *amazing* pictures.

 

[cconner]

#4 and #7 are very nice, as they all are. Thanks for sharing.

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I337 using Tapatalk

 

[sm4him]

Absolutely outstanding! Makes me jealous! Like Matthew, there is just not a really reliable area for that kind of variety of raptor around here. Really nice work!

I have never ever seen a raven with all those white feathers, but if it's something else, I certainly don't know what it would be! Very unusual looking, and cool!

 

[Aloicious]

Thanks All! yeah it was a good last day of 2013 for birding over here. I was stoked to see the golden eagle, they're year round residents but its very rare to see them that close.

 

[Aloicious]

Absolutely outstanding! Makes me jealous! Like Matthew, there is just not a really reliable area for that kind of variety of raptor around here. Really nice work!

I have never ever seen a raven with all those white feathers, but if it's something else, I certainly don't know what it would be! Very unusual looking, and cool!

Thanks Sharon, I believe it is a partially leucistic common raven if I'm not mistaken.

 

[MSnowy]

Great set. Really like #6. Ive yet to see a Golden.

 

[coastalconn]

I want your raptor route! Very cool. I believe your Raven is indeed leucistic , Awesome!! Happy new year!

 

[Aloicious]

Thanks Kris and Snowy, Happy new year everyone!

 

[LarryLomona]

Great shots. Love them all.

 

[Rick58]

Over the top. Very nice indeed

 

[Aloicious]

Thanks! I'm still stoked I got a golden heh, I may need to drive out to that area again soon and see if he's still out there.

 

[Parker219]

Wow, I LOVE picture 4, that take off photo is really amazing. Great job!