Great Black Hawk --- Fishing in the Pantanal.

[Gottshotz]

There are 46 Eagles, Hawks Falcons and Caracara species listed as indigenous in Brazil, most of which are present in the huge wetland called the Pantanal. Quite a few of these birds have evolved to catch fish. For some like the Osprey it is the main food source, but for others fish help to supplement a varied carnivore diet --- but they all have to learn the technique ! This series below illustrates the operation performed by the spectacular Great Black Hawk. To get some perspective on size, this hawk is almost exactly similar in dimensions to the Osprey, but its wings are short and broad compared to the narrower, angled wings of the Osprey. Thus the Gt. Black Hawk tends to swoop and hover over the target whereas the Osprey dives straight in .

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This sequence was taken with a D7000 and Tamron 70--300 at 70mm., f4, ISO 800, 1/800 Sec. handheld from a boat on one of the many waterways in the Pantanal, Brazil. 12/09/15.

 

[Warren D]

Very nice sequence. Just for the record, while Osprey are known for their dives, I have seen many of them do the same hover technique you document here as well as the low flying grab that bald eagles do. Why get wet if you don't have to?

 

[Gottshotz]

Very nice sequence. Just for the record, while Osprey are known for their dives, I have seen many of them do the same hover technique you document here as well as the low flying grab that bald eagles do. Why get wet if you don't have to?

Thanks Warren and for the Osprey info as well .

 

[Rassie]

Fantastic series. Nicely done!

 

[Callie]

Ah David, stunning images!

 

[Gottshotz]

Fantastic series. Nicely done!

Thanks Rassie, probably not enough shutter speed, but on the other hand the blur does emphasise the wing movements required to achieve the catch !

 

[Gottshotz]

Ah David, stunning images!

Thanks Callie, I was so close to the action that I almost forgot to press the button !

 

[Harry.G]

Fantastic action shots David ad good information on the Black Hawk - the third shot does it for me ,great timing well done

At first I thought "David you`ve forgot to include the Camera and lens info" that you usually do - then as I noticed the information after the last shot my first thoughts were "at 70mm you`ve managed to sneak up pretty close" then I also noticed you got those shots from a boat - that takes a pretty steady hand so again Well done

 

[Gottshotz]

Fantastic action shots David ad good information on the Black Hawk - the third shot does it for me ,great timing well done

At first I thought "David you`ve forgot to include the Camera and lens info" that you usually do - then as I noticed the information after the last shot my first thoughts were "at 70mm you`ve managed to sneak up pretty close" then I also noticed you got those shots from a boat - that takes a pretty steady hand so again Well done

Thanks Harry and well spotted, I was very close indeed, but that didn' t appear to put this guy off --- the lure of food is a great motivator!

 

[Icarus]

Beautiful photos and beautiful bird.

 

[Gottshotz]

Beautiful photos and beautiful bird.

Thanks Icarus, fascinating to be able to watch this action "up close and personnel".

 

[MikeA]

Wow

 

[Robin]

There are 46 Eagles, Hawks Falcons and Caracara species listed as indigenous in Brazil, most of which are present in the huge wetland called the Pantanal. Quite a few of these birds have evolved to catch fish. For some like the Osprey it is the main food source, but for others fish help to supplement a varied carnivore diet --- but they all have to learn the technique ! This series below illustrates the operation performed by the spectacular Great Black Hawk. To get some perspective on size, this hawk is almost exactly similar in dimensions to the Osprey, but its wings are short and broad compared to the narrower, angled wings of the Osprey. Thus the Gt. Black Hawk tends to swoop and hover over the target whereas the Osprey dives straight in .

View attachment 10362

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This sequence was taken with a D7000 and Tamron 70--300 at 70mm., f4, ISO 800, 1/800 Sec. handheld from a boat on one of the many waterways in the Pantanal, Brazil. 12/09/15.

Great sequence brilliant action shots.

 

[Gottshotz]

Wow

Glad you enjoyed the sequence, Mike.

 

[Gottshotz]

Great sequence brilliant action shots.

Thanks Robin, lucky to get the full fishing technique here .

 

[Venkatesh VT]

Beautiful shots of a beautiful raptor Gottshotz . I am tempted to visit Brazil now

 

[gordon_g]

Beautiful sequence David!

 

[Gottshotz]

Beautiful shots of a beautiful raptor Gottshotz . I am tempted to visit Brazil now

Thanks Venkatesh, certainly I would highly recommend the Pantanal, even over the Amazon.

 

[Gottshotz]

Beautiful sequence David!

Thanks Gordon, probably not a bird many will have seen, and certainly not fishing !

 

[Cristobal]

Awesome series!

 

[Gottshotz]

Awesome series!

Thanks Cristobal --- I was relieved that most of them came out OK as I forgot to check the shutter speed at the start, and in hindsight it was a bit low-- but the slight blur in the wings do give a dynamic feel to the series so I'm happy.

 

[Jim G]

There are 46 Eagles, Hawks Falcons and Caracara species listed as indigenous in Brazil, most of which are present in the huge wetland called the Pantanal. Quite a few of these birds have evolved to catch fish. For some like the Osprey it is the main food source, but for others fish help to supplement a varied carnivore diet --- but they all have to learn the technique ! This series below illustrates the operation performed by the spectacular Great Black Hawk. To get some perspective on size, this hawk is almost exactly similar in dimensions to the Osprey, but its wings are short and broad compared to the narrower, angled wings of the Osprey. Thus the Gt. Black Hawk tends to swoop and hover over the target whereas the Osprey dives straight in .

View attachment 10362

View attachment 10363

View attachment 10364

View attachment 10365

This sequence was taken with a D7000 and Tamron 70--300 at 70mm., f4, ISO 800, 1/800 Sec. handheld from a boat on one of the many waterways in the Pantanal, Brazil. 12/09/15.

Hi David.

Very nice series, thanks for sharing.

JIM

 

[Robin Work]

Beautiful series, great angle!

 

[Gottshotz]

Hi David.

Very nice series, thanks for sharing.

JIM

Thanks Jim, glad you enjoyed them.

 

[Gottshotz]

Beautiful series, great angle!

Thanks Robin --- one of the advantages of shooting from a small boat, providing its not moving around too much !