ML76140221

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

Adult/sub-adult. First noticed while driving in snow storm. A very large raptor mantling recently killed Wild Turkey. Pulled over safely and walked back along Rt 58 to observe and photograph from roadside. Bird was about 150 yards off roadside in cornfield, plucking and eating Wild Turkey. Massive raptor with light golden-tan crown and nape contrasting with blackish face surrounding bill. Overall body and wings appeared to be dark brown but with clear golden-tan panel across folded wings formed by pale upperwing coverts. Seen only poorly in flight due to heavy snow storm but upperside to tail appeared to be bi-colored: light (grayish?) but with dark sub-terminal band. An excellent surprise and the only raptor that I saw in several hours of driving the area. Photos uploaded at a later date.

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 7D

Lens

EF400mm f/5.6L USM

ISO

1250

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/8.0

Shutter speed

1/6400 sec

Dimensions

2275 pixels x 1625 pixels

Original file size

3.75 MB