A Secretive Hawk by byronbackyard
The Pacific Baza is a medium-sized, long-tailed hawk with a prominent crest. It is slim-bodied, with a narrow head and neck. The wings are paddle-shaped, well-rounded and deeply ‘fingered’. The head, neck and breast are grey and the underparts are white with bold dark banding. The legs are short with weak toes. The eyes are golden-yellow and domed, placed well on the side of the head, giving a slightly ‘pop-eyed’ look. The female is heavier and browner on the crown than the male. It is also known as the Crested Hawk or Baza, or the Pacific Cuckoo-Falcon.
Canon 50D, EF70-300mm f/4-5.6 IS USM
Merit Award Winner – Wetlandcare Australia National Photography Competition 2011
Featured In – Birds of Prey
The Birds
Absolute Clarity
Comments
Exceptionally beautiful!!! I am in awe!:) Congratulations, the work is really outstanding!:)
Thank you so much for noticing this one, I’ve been trying for about four years to get a decent photo but they are very secretive and tend to stay up the foliage, beautiful raptor though!
– byronbackyard
Taking into consideartion how difficult it is to shoot this bird, I must double my congratulations!:) This work is really excellent, both in technique and artistic achievement:) What I love most, it is a contrast of sharp, light blue bird’s body against the dark, blurred background. I love it:)
Thanks so much for your very kind words!
– byronbackyard
What a beautiful bird and capture!!
Thanks so much for noticing this one Deborah, it’s a bit special, they’re very hard to see let alone photograph!
– byronbackyard
Great work Byron, that is a beautiful raptor!!
Thanks so much Marvin … I was so chuffed to spot it and get close enough, they’re notoriously hard to photograph. Luckily is was more annoyed and focused on the little birds hassling it to worry about me!
– byronbackyard
I have never seen one before.
They’re very hard to spot and their numbers are low I think!
– byronbackyard
awesome shot
Many thanks!
– byronbackyard
Excellent capture, what a beautiful hawk. well done!
Thanks so much Tori, thanks for noticing this one!
– byronbackyard
Such a beautiful, beautiful capture of a stunning bird. Wow..!
Thanks so much for noticing this one, it’s a bit special, very hard to get!
– byronbackyard
Beautiful image and such an interesting bird!
Many thanks, yes it’s a special and much sought photo of this very secretive bird.
– byronbackyard