Saturday, 28 Feb 2009
Comments on photos
(Emails from Jim Lofthousei, 28 Feb 2009)
When some rare bird comes to visit, I am likely to
grab the camera and take some pictures, in spite of dirty rain streaked
windows, poor light and the wrong lens on the camera. These photos leave
much to be desired, but perhaps they serve to document the event, and
hopefully capture enough detail to show
the field marks of the species.
http://donce.lofthouse.com/jamaica/merlin.jpg
http://donce.lofthouse.com/jamaica/merlin2.jpg
Jim
(Emails from Jerry Liguori, 28 Feb 2009)
Those photos are pretty good. It is a juvenile Sharp-shinned Hawk.
Many juv Sharp-shinneds are heavily marked and appear adult-like. I
attached a few good examples of this plumage type...it is common on
females and much less common on males. It has not molted yet, it is in
complete juvenile (or juvenal) plumage (too early for molt to occur and
many barred-like plumage, especially in the flanks like this in fresh
plumage). Also, a note, all N.A. falcons have dark brown eyes at all ages.
Jerry
(Second email on 1 Mar 2009)
Someone asked me about the bluish topside of the
Sharp-shinned Hawk recently discussed. I should have clarified, when
backlit in spring faded brown birds can look grayish, even in fall certain
angles can be tricky....I have photos of this too. Isn't there always more
than meets the eye when it comes to bird watching....
Jerry
Photos
by Jerry Liguori
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