Big Birds, Happy Healthy World. 03-29-23

Geraint March 29, 2023 30 Comments

Greetings from the San Cristobal, NM. This week a series of images of some of the big birds that frequent our area.

I hope you enjoy the following gallery of big birds.

Some of the largest birds in the area are the Sandhill Cranes that pass through on their migratory route. I photographed the two below in the Bosque del Apache.

Sandhill Cranes big birds in flight — Sandhill Cranes, the big birds.

The Turkey Vulture below is about to return to our area. They are known as the harbingers of Spring. If you are interested, you can read more here.

I chose these images below out of a collection of photos that showed up when I searched my hard drives for large birds. It was hard to decide which to include, so I picked the ones I distinctly remember taking the shot. I went for feeling more than anything. I hope you like them. Click on an image to enlarge it.

Always remember the birds at the zoo like this Flamingo. I had a stunning picture of a captive eagle in the Albuquerque Zoo published in Raptors of New Mexico.

As always, thank you for looking. Keep looking up you may be surprised by what’s above and around you. G

Red-tailed Hawk family, San Luis Valley

Geraint July 21, 2021 10 Comments

On a photo workshop last week I took my client to visit the Hawks in my previous week’s post. My client is an accomplished bird photographer. Well.., I was expecting maybe mom, pop, and the chick I saw on my last visit, but to our surprise, we spotted a whole family of five. Fledglings were taking to the air from the treetops, encouraged in their maneuvers by the parents. What a treat it was to see the adult male, female and chicks perform this ancient summer ritual at this roadside location.

Enjoy!

Male Red-tailed Hawk, on the wing, San Luis Valley.

Female Red-tailed Hawk, sits in tree top, San Luis Valley.

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk lands in a tree.

A Male Red-tailed Hawk — Male Red-tailed Hawk stands guard in tree top, San Luis Valley.

Three juvenile Red-tailed Hawks sit in a tree top, San Luis Valley.

Male Red-tailed Hawk, showing how it’s done and lands in a tree.

Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk prepares to land. — Juvenile Red-tailed Hawk prepares to land on a tree branch near mom!.

As always, thanks for looking. I appreciate all the comments and compliments. Thank you. G

Raptor, Red-Tailed Hawk, Ranchos De Taos, NM

Geraint November 28, 2020 8 Comments

Raptor, Red-tailed Hawk on the road to Ranchos de Taos, NM. Alert and on point. Always. I love these creatures, their purposeful design, and immaculate bodies. Their haunting calls from the skies stir my body and soul and remind me there is no way to get back to nature… because we’ve never left it. Thanks for looking. G

Red Tailed Hawk, Ranchos De Taos, New Mexico

Geraint October 30, 2020 2 Comments

Red-tailed Hawk, Ranchos De Taos, New Mexico. I spent twenty minutes with this magnificent young raptor who spent the time primping and preening, grooming its feathers. I thought he was going to sit there all day. As I thought about driving off, he shook out his wings and tail feathers, had a quick poo, lifted off still pooing, and dropped out of sight. Thanks for looking. G

Osprey, First Flight, Chama, New Mexico

Geraint July 29, 2020 6 Comments

Osprey, first flight, along the highway power line nesting platform, Chama, New Mexico. A quick drive around the block today. It was very peaceful and delightful, watching these chicks and mom on the nest. Dad is gone, maybe fishing. We spent about an hour observing their behavior. Thanks for looking in. G

Osprey, first flight, Chama, New Mexico. — Who’s going first?

Osprey, Fish, Heron Lake, New Mexico

Geraint April 22, 2020 No Comments

Osprey, with a fish at Heron Lake, in northern New Mexico. She looks perturbed, as if I’m going to fight her for it. Not me, but there were a number of greedy, lazy, opportunistic Bald Eagles waiting in the wings. Good girl, stay alert. Thanks for looking. G

American Kestrel, Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico

Geraint April 3, 2020 4 Comments

American Kestrel, Arroyo Hondo, New Mexico. This beautiful creature embodies spirit. Fear? none of it, I’m sure. I’ve watched and photographed these birds for a couple of decades. I wish to return as a kestrel. Perhaps I already am, and Geraint is a figment of my imagination. Thanks for looking. Be tenacious, stay well and be safe. Thanks for looking. G

Golden Eagle, Pole Sitting, Vallecito Mountain

Geraint February 1, 2020 6 Comments

Golden Eagle, pole sitting, on the Hondo Mesa with Vallecito Mountain for a backdrop. I caught a glimpse of what I thought was a hawk from a distance, but grew larger as I closed the distance. I’m not a hundred percent certain it’s a golden but I’m going with it. Thanks for looking. G

Bald Eagle, Monte Vista, Colorado

Geraint January 24, 2020 6 Comments

Bald Eagle, Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, Colorado. On a “photo safari” in northern New Mexico and southern Colorado this week with my good friend R. David Marks. We may not encounter the big game one might on an African safari, but the excitement of discovering a Bald Eagle, high in an old cottonwood, is no less exciting. Join me on a “photo safari” in our own back yard. Thanks for looking. G

Red-Tailed Hawk, Arroyo Hondo, NM

Geraint January 16, 2020 10 Comments

Red-tailed Hawk, in the old cottonwood in Arroyo Hondo, NM. The guardian of the Hondo Valley, steadfast and true. Shows up daily without fail. Critters beware! Thanks for looking. G

Geraint Smith Photography

Tag: Birds of Prey