Crested Caracaras (X-posted in Photo Group)

[Maestro]

I haven't been around much. I have a lot of personal crap going on right now and I am burned out professionally, but at least I have a job. Anyhow, as sort of therapy, I went on a three day adventure to the Lower Rio Grande Valley and spent some time alone on several ranches. I will be processing photos for weeks to come.

Here are but a few of the crested caracara images I obtained.

[Forkboy]

1. What an awesome looking bird!

Great photos, as always. Very glad to see you around, and look forward to more pics. :thumbsup:

[Maestro]

9. Thanks Forkboy

I will be processing photos for weeks.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

2. My dear Maestro!

Oh, it's so good to see you and your wonderful pics!

You have been missed...

Sorry to hear about the problems, sweetie...

But as always, you're more than up to your normal standards: these are great!

In the sixth pic down, is that a juvenile?

Welcome back!

:hug:

[Maestro]

10. Thanks Peggy. I will get the problems worked out.

There is not other option.

And yes, that odd looking one is a juvenile. I had a whole family come in the second day, 2 adults and 2 juveniles.

[semillama]

3. Caracaras are great!

I need to get a better view of one - my life bird was one being harassed by blackbirds while driving in Florida.

A falcon evolving into a vulture - fascinating!

[Maestro]

13. They do act just like vultures and even hang with them.

But they are much more photogenic. :)

[Suich]

4. That last shot is really cool, Maestro!

Gorgeous bird!

:thumbsup: :thumbsup:

[Maestro]

14. Thanks Suich

I could see them flying in from quite a distance so during one of the approaches I focused in on the bird as it came in. It took a while for my camera to focus in on the moving subject but it finally did. I have many more "screw ups" than keepers in that sequence.

[Kat45]

5. Nice looking bird.

How big is it?

[Maestro]

15. They really are not all that large.

They weigh between 1 to 3 pounds which for a bird is pretty hefty but I think my pictures make them look larger than they really are.

[spindrifter]

6. I think the first and last are just fantastic photos!

Wow, it's great to see your pix back here.

[Maestro]

16. Thanks Spindrifter

I have been processing a bunch lately.

[nuxvomica]

7. That last one...

If I had had a secret agenda for joining DU and it was to keep reading posts till I'd found the perfect bird picture then I could leave today. Maybe I just don't see a lot of bird pictures but that one has got to be exceptional. :applause:

[Maestro]

19. You are very kind.

Thank you

[UTUSN]

8. K&R #4 for fan-TAS-tic!1 As always. n/t

[Haole Girl]

11. Thank you for stopping by & sharing these!

The bottom one is my very favorite. But, as usual, they are all great!

Hope things look up for you soon. :hug: I'm getting burned out in my job too. Seems many of us are expected to do the work of 2 or 3 people these days. But, as you say, we have jobs!

[Tuesday Afternoon]

12. oh my! breath taking...

thank you Maestro.

[bigwillq]

17. Awesome!

Awesome. That's all I can say. :thumbsup:

[blondeatlast]

18. Gorgeous, just gorgeous. Thanks for sharing the beauty. nt

[TZ]

20. Wow. How common in the US are they?

I always thought of them as Central/South American birds...

[momto3]

21. Wow. Terrific pictures.

I always look forward to seeing your picture threads. They are always breath taking.

[NJmaverick]

22. What a magnificent looking bird

very regal.

[suninvited]

23. That last picture is stunning

I don't think I have ever seen one of those.

My father grew up in the lower Rio Grande valley, in Mission.