Tag Archives: Crested Caracara

Birds

Sandhill Crane Flyby, And a Caracara

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I heard him coming…Sandhill Cranes are really loud.

From Cornell’s All About Birds:

“a loud rolling, trumpeting sound whose unique tone is a product of anatomy: Sandhill Cranes have long tracheas (windpipes) that coil into the sternum and help the sound develop a lower pitch and harmonics that add richness.”

Sandhill Crane Flying By
Sandhill Crane Flying By

And he flew right on by.

Sandhill Crane Flying By
Sandhill Crane Flying By

I could hardly make a post of this last, far off photo, but I was pretty amazed to see a Crested Caracara fly by just a few minutes before the Crane.

Crested Caracara Flying By
Crested Caracara Flying By

Orlando Wetlands, Christmas, FL
January 18, 2023

Raptor

Crested Caracara, Profile Shots, White Background

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This Crested Caracara was incredibly photogenic and despite the low-light day we were having I got some amazing closeup images, some with a Green Background  and these with a white/grey sky background.

Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara

There’s not much I can say about them, other than this is a gorgeous bird.

Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara

Looking a little sassy!

Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara

And curious…

Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara

The Center for Birds of Prey, Awenda, SC.
Photography Day, October 10, 2021

Raptor

Crested Caracara, Mating Display, Closer Up

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I was able to capture another series of the Crested Caracara mating display much closer up.

Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara

The expanded speckled white neck adds to his appeal during mating season.

Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara

He was quite striking even when holding still.

Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara

This view also shows off the Caracara’s powerful beak.

Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara

They easily feed on about any animal, either captured alive or found dead.

Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara

The Center for Birds of Prey, Awenda, SC.
Photography Day, October 10, 2021

Raptor

Crested Caracara, Profile Shots, Green Background

9 Comments

This Crested Caracara was incredibly photogenic and despite the low-light day we were having I got some amazing closeup images.

Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara

 

Ted and I recently attended our fifth Photography Day at the Center for Birds of Prey in Awenda, SC.  Photographers have an opportunity to take close-up images of a number of birds of prey as well as some flight demonstrations. As always the staff and volunteers provided a fun and educational experience.

The Center for Birds of Prey, Awenda, SC.
Photography Day, October 10, 2021

Raptor

Crested Caracara, Mating Display

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Doing what Crested Caracaras do, this gorgeous bird demonstrated an attention display even though it is not breeding season and there were no other Caracaras around.

Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara

The handler shared that this bird was raised in captivity and this has become his default behavior around humans and is not to be taken personally.

Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara

Crested Caracaras are found in the wild in Central Florida, much of eastern Texas, and a sliver of Arizona.

Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara

He is beautiful, and I think he knows it!

Crested Caracara
Crested Caracara perched on handler’s glove

Ted and I recently attended our fifth Photography Day at the Center for Birds of Prey in Awenda, SC.  Photographers have an opportunity to take close-up images of a number of birds of prey as well as some flight demonstrations. As always the staff and volunteers provided a fun and educational experience.

The Center for Birds of Prey, Awenda, SC.
Photography Day, October 10, 2021