Danger from the sky? Fort Desoto Raptors

Many raptors can be seen at Fort Desoto Park, the Yellow Stone of Florida. Let’s have a look at a couple of them…

Osprey squawking on a branch – Fort Desoto, Florida.
ISO 640 | f/5.6 | 1/1600 sec. | Manual mode | AI servo rear focusing
This photograph was created with the Canon 600mm f/4 L IS II USM lens (Canon 600mm f/4 L IS II USM review), the Canon EOS 5D mark III on a Gimbal head and tripod.

I often find that the easiest way to spot birds of prey is to be attentive to their squawking. Ospreys and Red-shouldered Hawks have very distinctive calls for instance. Then follow them for a while and see where their preferred resting area seems to be located. Hopefully, it is low enough and without vegetation obstruction. 🙂

American Kestrel in flight – Fort Desoto, Florida.
ISO 800 | f/8 | 1/6400 sec. | Manual mode | AI servo rear focusing
This photograph was created with the Canon 600mm f/4 L IS II USM lens (Canon 600mm f/4 L IS II USM review) coupled with the 1.4x extender, the Canon EOS 5D mark III handheld while standing.

Now the American Kestrel is a much tougher one to get close to. Plus, it seems to fly away pretty quick… Perseverance and patience are the only ways I know of!

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Steven