[bajadreamer]

Here in California, out of hunting season, danger for most birds comes primarily from above. Hawks and falcons pose the most danger for adult birds. When I process many of my images I see the birds looking up; I assume they are on the look out for danger coming at them from above. This Green-winged Teal definitely fit this picture. Shortly after this image was taken a Red-winged Hawk floated over the pond. A RWH is not much of a danger to an adult teal, but none the less, all the ducks exploded into flight; the hawk floated away and back the ducks came.
Taken with a R7, hand held with the lens just above the water; processed in PS with healthy crop. BG brought down slightly and shadows on bird brought up slightly.

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[gdecamp]

Really nice image here! Great colors, detail and awesome background!!

 

[Ralph]

Here in California, out of hunting season, danger for most birds comes primarily from above. Hawks and falcons pose the most danger for adult birds. When I process many of my images I see the birds looking up; I assume they are on the look out for danger coming at them from above. This Green-winged Teal definitely fit this picture. Shortly after this image was taken a Red-winged Hawk floated over the pond. A RWH is not much of a danger to an adult teal, but none the less, all the ducks exploded into flight; the hawk floated away and back the ducks came.
Taken with a R7, hand held with the lens just above the water; processed in PS with healthy crop. BG brought down slightly and shadows on bird brought up slightly.View attachment 69283

Beautiful shot I experience the same situation all the time. In the fall there are many ducks hanging out in the reservoir where I shoot. All of a sudden, they all bolt at once. You look up and there is a bald eagle making an approach.

 

[K9Kirk]

Very nice shot. Yep, even if they can't identify what it is above them, it's bolt or possibly be dinner.

 

[NorthernFocus]

Really an excellent image. Nice job.

Early in the season I shoot a bit at a local marsh with a perennial eagle's nest at the edge of the woods. The eagles raise their chicks every year on waterfowl and their offspring. When shooting them I often notice just what you describe. They are constantly glancing skyward.

 

[bajadreamer]

Really nice image here! Great colors, detail and awesome background!!

Thanks for the nice words.

 

[bajadreamer]

Beautiful shot I experience the same situation all the time. In the fall there are many ducks hanging out in the reservoir where I shoot. All of a sudden, they all bolt at once. You look up and there is a bald eagle making an approach.

Yes, when you see that behavior there is no doubt what is happening.

 

[bajadreamer]

Very nice shot. Yep, even if they can't identify what it is above them, it's bolt or possibly be dinner.

Thanks for looking and commenting. It is interesting because I do see the ducks (and other birds) bolt when a shadow of a raptor comes over, but I also see the ducks ignore shadows of other ducks, so they obviously know the difference.

 

[bajadreamer]

Really an excellent image. Nice job.

Early in the season I shoot a bit at a local marsh with a perennial eagle's nest at the edge of the woods. The eagles raise their chicks every year on waterfowl and their offspring. When shooting them I often notice just what you describe. They are constantly glancing skyward.

I also see this behavior in other ground birds, like Burrowing Owls. Birds that perch in trees-not so much.

 

[K9Kirk]

Thanks for looking and commenting. It is interesting because I do see the ducks (and other birds) bolt when a shadow of a raptor comes over, but I also see the ducks ignore shadows of other ducks, so they obviously know the difference.

Ah, yes, that's true, I've seen that also. Maybe they hear them at a distance. Like how I used to hear my X nagging at a distance, knew it was her ... and I would just ignore her.

 

[Charles Loy]

Wonderful photo

 

[bajadreamer]

Ah, yes, that's true, I've seen that also. Maybe they hear them at a distance. Like how I used to hear my X nagging at a distance, knew it was her ... and I would just ignore her.

Ooooh!

 

[bajadreamer]

Wonderful photo

Thanks for the nice compliment.

 

[ssheipel]

Beautiful.