Caracaras

[Harryb]

Hi Y'all,

My home county of Grevard. Its is conducting a count of caracaras in hte county. Its estimated that there are 400 caracaras statewide at the moment. They are listed as threatened which is one step away from endagered (facing extinction). The biggest problem they face is the loss of the prarie like habitat that they favor. Their favorite nesting place is cabbage palm trees. Depending on the results of this study the developers may receive "heads ups" about destroying cabbage palms when they build (fat chance that will have of doing much).

Here's a few recent shots of the "Mexican Eagle' (its the national bird of Mexico).

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/141117596-O.jpg

here's one carrying lunch back to its nest for the then chicks
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/141117574-O.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/141117600-O.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/141117607-O.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/141117613-O.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/141117772-O.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/141118022-O.jpg

you can see the tracking device on the back of this one
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/141118025-O.jpg

[jeff lapoint]

Great series of a beautiful raptor! Its really cool to see the tracking device on the back too.

Man, I need to get to freaking Florida:oogle

-j

[riddim_maker]

Absolutely amazing captures Harry :thumb :thumb :thumb
It's so unfortunate that we humans, knowingly or not, contribute to the demise of our environment and ourselves.
I hope someday to be able to come to Florida and capture some of your dwindling wildlife before they are no more.
Thanks for sharing Harry.

[Ric Grupe]

Interesting bird and a very nice set, Harry.:thumb

How many have you seen?

Once Bush finds this out....they may all be going back to Mexico! :roflOr...maybe Cheney will just shoot them to save us taxpayers the expense.:barb

[Tessa HD]

Enjoyed your photos. Never heard of that bird before. Beautiful!

Tessa

[Harryb]

Great series of a beautiful raptor! Its really cool to see the tracking device on the back too.

Man, I need to get to freaking Florida:oogle

-j

Thanks Jeff, and you do need to get down to Florida.

[Arnica]

Wow ! You have such unasual birding location in Florida ! I wish to have.
Your photos are great !

[ShepsMom]

I need to make a trip where Harry lives, i can't never find anything around here....:dunno

[Maestro]

Interesting bird and a very nice set, Harry.:thumb

How many have you seen?

Once Bush finds this out....they may all be going back to Mexico! :roflOr...maybe Cheney will just shoot them to save us taxpayers the expense.:barb

Oh crap that is funny. Hey here in Texas where Bush got his start, we've been letting the energy industry "police" itself when it comes to polluting the environment. :huh But blame the dern Mexicans by God! Hell, that name caracara sounds foreign. Is that a terrerist boid? :scratch

In all seriousness, that is a wonderfully handsome bird. I will be on the lower Texas coast this summer so perhaps if I am lucky I will see one or two along with a peregrine.

[Harryb]

Absolutely amazing captures Harry :thumb :thumb :thumb
It's so unfortunate that we humans, knowingly or not, contribute to the demise of our environment and ourselves.
I hope someday to be able to come to Florida and capture some of your dwindling wildlife before they are no more.
Thanks for sharing Harry.


Thanks Russ. I've noticed that we have fewer caracaras now than a few years earlier. I used to see 3-4 mating pairs but now I have only observed
this one pair on a regular basis.

You definitely have to get down here while you can still take a shot w/o having the golden arches in it somewhere.

[Shasoc]

Great set of images of a beautiful bird, Harry. :thumb :clap

[Harryb]

Interesting bird and a very nice set, Harry.:thumb

How many have you seen?

Once Bush finds this out....they may all be going back to Mexico! :roflOr...maybe Cheney will just shoot them to save us taxpayers the expense.:barb

Thanks Ric. I haven't been to the wetlands in the past 4 weeks but on my last visit we had four (the two parents and the two youngsters). In the past we have had 3-4 pairs in the area.

I used to hate Cheney but then he shot a lawyer.

Lou Dobbs is going to do a special report on CNN about these illegal Mexican birds stealing carrion from the embattled middle-class. :smile6

[jwear]

are you sure this is not Ben :scratch he also has 2 ankle bracelets :dunno but no he does not look this good :thumb nice ones Harry

[Ric Grupe]

I used to hate Cheney but then he shot a lawyer.

Hey...you have a valid point there! :D He's still a Dick though.:rofl

Lou Dobbs is going to do a special report on CNN about these illegal Mexican birds stealing carrion from the embattled middle-class. :smile6

:deal:barb:thumb

[Albert Dickson]

Thanks for sharing it. As I've posted before, I have botched two previous oportunities to photograph these wonderful raptors, they are an enigma to me. Next FL. trip they top my list. GOOD SHOOTIN!

[Harryb]

Enjoyed your photos. Never heard of that bird before. Beautiful!

Tessa

Thanks Tessa, the Caracara is only found in Mexico, Central America and the Gulf Coast states.

[Harryb]

Wow ! You have such unasual birding location in Florida ! I wish to have.
Your photos are great !

Thanks and I ma very lucky to have a unique place close to my house which provides me with lots of photo ops.

[Harryb]

I need to make a trip where Harry lives, i can't never find anything around here....:dunno

Everyone who wnats to shoot birds needs to come down here. :D

[bfjr]

are you sure this is not Ben :scratch he also has 2 ankle bracelets :dunno but no he does not look this good :thumb nice ones Harry

I heard that :wxwax :ivar

Harry
Great photos, commentary and a general grasp on "What's up Doc"

What can I say :super

[Harryb]

Oh crap that is funny. Hey here in Texas where Bush got his start, we've been letting the energy industry "police" itself when it comes to polluting the environment. :huh But blame the dern Mexicans by God! Hell, that name caracara sounds foreign. Is that a terrerist boid? :scratch

In all seriousness, that is a wonderfully handsome bird. I will be on the lower Texas coast this summer so perhaps if I am lucky I will see one or two along with a peregrine.

Thanks Stephen and you should get a chance at some Caracaras as Texas has more of those "undocumented birds" as we do. :D

[Harryb]

Great set of images of a beautiful bird, Harry. :thumb :clap

Thank you very much Socrate.

[Harryb]

are you sure this is not Ben :scratch he also has 2 ankle bracelets :dunno but no he does not look this good :thumb nice ones Harry

He's way too good looking to be Ben. :ivar Thanks Jeff :wave

[Harryb]

Thanks for sharing it. As I've posted before, I have botched two previous oportunities to photograph these wonderful raptors, they are an enigma to me. Next FL. trip they top my list. GOOD SHOOTIN!

Thanks Albert and good luck on your caracara quest.

[Harryb]

I heard that :wxwax :ivar

Harry
Great photos, commentary and a general grasp on "What's up Doc"

What can I say :super

Thank you Ben.