It’s funny thing in someways. We don’t have many photographs on the walls of our unit. It is not that space is limited so much, as that we have chosen not to fill it up with photos.
All the family memories and moments are in carefully curated Photo-books that are the result of one of us having flirted with the Scrapbooking era.
For our bird encounters I produced numerous Photo Books, first using Apple’s remarkable, and never copied, Aperture photo management programme, and Apple’s Book publishing service, and of late using Blurb, both directly and via the connection with Adobe Lightroom.
But every-so often, I make an image that above all others of recent times really cries out to me for a print on the wall.
Such is the Brown Falcon header for this blog.
The bird, or course, is Cassia, of Cinnamon. She has left a perch some 200 m from her fledged young, (they are in the tree behind me) and is making her way over to—in a motherly way—check on the kids. Well isolated from the trees in the background, the focus on the D500, attached and held for her flight across the paddock, at about head (mine) height.
I’ve sat with this bird through, now, four nesting seasons, and while she is not that enamoured by my presence it is fair to say that I am no longer considered a threat, and her approach is not an attack, but rather the simplest way to move to her young.
The one thing I’ve noted this time, and I have to say, I’ve missed it before, is that she ‘talks’ to the young when up close. It is a very quiet, but distinct, ‘cluck-cluck-cluck’ very soft and very ‘motherly.’ Much in the same we humans interact with our offspring. Cooing and Mumma and Dadda are just a few examples.
What ever she is saying seems to be done in a very warm and if I can anthropomorphise, passioned way.
Brown Falcons are more noted for their raucous calling as they barrel across the sky. Easy to pick, even when they are a long way off.
So with all of that, it really struck me that her ‘mother’ intentions are much more than at first might be thought of for a hard working raptor.
A time for me of enlightenment.
Worthy of a place on the wall.
Here tis.
Enjoy
And for extra points here is another one from a much closer viewpoint from that run across the field.
Birds as Poetry —— Just because I WANDER - --doesn't mean I'm LOST 
Definitely needs to be on the wall, David! A stunning and beautiful image.
Interesting to learn of her mothering instincts as she cares for her young.
That is not something one thinks of when considering a raptor.
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Thanks David, it has been quite interesting to see how she deals with her ravenous young making sure that each gets its share. Surprisingly, they too, seem to know how it works.
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Two very beautiful images of this lovely bird. Definitely one for the wall, not just because it is such a perfect photograph, but also because of the special relationship you have built up with her over the years.
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Hello Eleanor, I am pretty certain its a one way street of relationship, but at least she is tolerant and that makes so much difference.
Something about the image, her stance in the air, and the look all says to me so much about working with the family
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I agree wiht both Dave and Eleanor. Two beautiful images that both deserve to be on the wall, however my favourite is definitely the first one you showed.
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Yep, I really like the one with a bit of sky, but have to admit the stance of the bird in the air is not as pleasing.
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I agree David, they are definite stunning wall hangers, and would look great enlarged as a feature, as they capture the spirit and intent of the bird as it goes about its motherly duties.
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G’day Ashley, I suppose its hard now that I have quite a collection from this season but some of them stand apart because of the way the bird has handled herself during the encounter.
We do our best to keep a distance that gives them plenty of room, but occasionally she will take an opportunity to fly by or land closeup. Her choice. Always
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I’ve told you once, you’re her Court Photographer, David. These photos are truly magnificent and the chosen one deserves the bed place on your wall as much as it would be a pride in every art gallery.
The accompanying story is adorable as well.
I wish you many happy returns of Cassia to your lens.
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The bed might be a place too, but what I really mean is THE BEST.
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Hi Adam, We have also been fortunate to have some decent weather the past few visits.
I’m sure she would be happy without a court photographer. Sometimes I think she just shrugs “oh well’.
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