By Ted Grussing
… last night I was musing about how all creatures continue to evolve, learn, change and adopt. The Zone Tail hawk is no exception … I got this shot of one this morning thanks to a friend who called and said there was one in the neighborhood … I skipped my espresso, grabbed a camera and headed out the door … what a treat.
If you look at the primary feathers of the wing you will see how similar they are to a Turkey Vulture and for small eyes looking up from the ground it gives that appearance, especially when a Zone Tail is flying with the vultures. Over the millennia creatures on the ground have learned that Turkey Vultures do not eat live prey and since they are not a threat, they go on with their normal business, not worrying about the vultures overhead. The Zone Tail hawk has also evolved and the wing tips and flight characteristics fits right in with the vultures. With the prey effectively disarmed and sensing no danger, the Zone Tail has pretty easy pickings of its food choice. In addition to the primary feathers you can distinguish the Zone Tail from the Black Hawk by its tail having multiple white bands … The Black Hawk only has one.
Good progress on the ring today and diving into it in the morning … may have it finished by Monday and will send out progress photos.
One of my favorite soaring videos and a finish with some great aerobatics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
It is nice that we do not have to look up and be on the lookout for predators overhead … it could complicate life … or shorten it 🙂
Have a beautiful day and smile … we are alive … back Monday morning.
Cheers
Ted
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The easiest way to reach Mr. Grussing is by email: ted@tedgrussing.com
In addition to sales of photographs already taken Ted does special shoots for patrons on request and also does air-to-air photography for those who want photographs of their airplanes in flight. All special photographic sessions are billed on an hourly basis.
Ted also does one-on-one workshops for those interested in learning the techniques he uses. By special arrangement Ted will do one-on-one aerial photography workshops which will include actual photo sessions in the air.
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