Common Buzzard
(Buteo buteo)
"The Watcher"
8" square print in 12" pure white mount £55.00
A collection of 3 photos depicting the initial capture, subduing and feeding phases.
"The Reward"
A4 print in A3 pure white mount £55.00
In the early to mid 1900's the Common Buzzard was persecuted almost to the point of extinction. Later successful breeding and re-introduction programs have resulted in it now being the most common British bird of prey. Though even now they are being hunted and persecuted.
They have distinct feathers on the end of their broad wings resembling fingers. Their colour ranges from dark brown to a light tan but always maintain the distinct dark edges and tips of their broad wings.
They have a very broad diet, ranging from small mammals, birds and carrion. When food is scarce they will even search for earthworms and other small insects.
They are most often seen sitting perched on poles or fenceposts, looking almost as though they are simply relaxing, or just as often seen soaring effortlessly on thermal currents, crying out with a high pitched "Meuw."
"The Capture"
A4 print in A3 pure white mount £55.00
"The Subjugation"
A4 print in A3 pure white mount £55.00
Red Kite
(Milvus milvus)
"The Duel"
Back in the days William Shakespeare, the Red Kite was as common as crows are now. Often seen in cities feeding on vermin, offal and scraps. The lack of proper sanitation at the time caused a glut of easy prey.
Later though, the bird became so persecuted that by the late 1800's it was virtually extinct in Scotland and England with just a few pairs in Wales.
With the later reintroduction efforts by conservation organisations, the numbers rose by around 2,500% in the mid 1990's. in fact, these photographs were taken at a site near Doune in Scotland, where assistance is given to allow them to thrive naturally.
A4 print in A3 pure white mount £55.00
Red Kites, despite being true Birds of Prey, have very week talons and a large part of their diet involves carrion.
It seems o work for them, because as of today, the UK is home to around 17% of the worlds population. Not bad from around 6 birds a hundred years ago.
"Freebird"
A4 print in A3 pure white mount £55.00
Kestrel
(Falco tinnunculus)
Osprey
(Pandion haliaetus)
"Precision"
The Osprey is a summer migrant in the UK, where its sole purpose is breeding and rearing their young, ready for the long migration back to their over-wintering sites. Some to as far away as South Africa. They keep to the same pair bond, returning to the same nest site. Although the pair part company for their southern migration, only to reform the bond in the late spring.
They will usually only take new partners in the event that one of the pair dies.
They are unique amongst raptors in so much as they can submerge their whole body under water when hunting their prey which is solely fish or eels. They enter the water feet first and latch onto their prey with feet that have specially adapted backward facing barbs which enable a secure grip on their slippery prey.
If you watch closely you will see that they orient their prey forward in a position that reduces the airflow. Streamlined lunch!
A3 print in 16" x 20" pure white mount £100.00
"Final Moment"
