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Recent content by talon_dfa

  1. talon_dfa

    Want to get 10x42 EL, but have reservations

    My first binos (many years ago) were 10X, which I purchased assuming that all things being equal, magnification would always be most important. I suspect many people follow that same logic (or lack therof) when buying binos... I still prefer 10X when observing from a vehicle or when stationary...
  2. talon_dfa

    Should birders be conservationists?

    I would suggest the greatest threat is and has always been human population growth. Anthropogenic caused climate change is just a recent potential spin-off.
  3. talon_dfa

    Peregrine Falcon Harvest being Considered

    I don't disagree that Congress (or State legislators) are ultimately responsible. Endangered Species Act is a very strong law for protecting species. Peregrines were protected by ESA. Peregrine recovery met the Recovery plan objectives many years before they were removed from ESA protection...
  4. talon_dfa

    Peregrine Falcon Harvest being Considered

    I have always assumed this is a wild bird forum and this thread deals with wild birds. I respect everyone's right to express their own views. I object to name calling. I object to the call to revoke another's membership because of a differing view. No apology is owed to me as I have no...
  5. talon_dfa

    Perfect Zeiss Dialyt 7x42 on ebay!

    Everybody has to start as a 1st time seller... Take good pics. Describe your item as accurately as possible. Start with a low bid price to attract more bidders. Offer money back if not satisfied (they pay shipping back). And yes accept paypal, because so many more people will look at your...
  6. talon_dfa

    Peregrine Falcon Harvest being Considered

    I see much surprising talk above (including from Super moderators), but it appears few have actually read the proposals. To not only assume, but to state in public that someone is ..."a bunch of crackpots"... without showing evidence speaks volumes. Funnier still to see calls for removing...
  7. talon_dfa

    Mis-handling of raptors by ringers/banders?

    As noted in my earlier post, I have seen serious bending of primary feathers of a female sharp-shinned hawk caused by an inexperienced handler holding the bird as the original example "a". I am not sure how it happened, because I did not see, but it happed during an explosive struggle as the...
  8. talon_dfa

    Utah, USA falcon

    In Utah, all three sub-species of Merlin are found during winter and are described by Larry Lade above. The bird pictured above looks more like the light-colored Prairie Merlins to me.
  9. talon_dfa

    Mis-handling of raptors by ringers/banders?

    Birds are robust, but there is nothing wrong with pointing out different, if not better ways to handle birds. After handling birds for 30+ years (makes me feel old to write that), I learn something new each time I work with a different person. There are very experienced handlers that choose to...
  10. talon_dfa

    What can you tell me about this RTH?

    Just for fun, I will go out on a limb and call this bird a female based on wing proportions.
  11. talon_dfa

    Hawk ID Please

    Chris: No doubt this is a strange bird. I agree it has been documented that some birds can keep the light eye for several years (RT29 as pointed out by Astevenson), but of the 100s of RTHAs that I have had the pleasure to see up close, I don't ever remember seeing a bird with light eyes past...
  12. talon_dfa

    Hawk ID Please

    I agree with Juvy Red-tail. Be careful about the wingtip past the tail character. I have seen SWHAs that did not have wingtips extend past the tail and I have seen Western RTHAs (esp. Juv) that did have wingtips extending past the tail. Wheeler & Clark (Photo guide to NA Raptors) has pics of...
  13. talon_dfa

    whats the largest prey a red tailed hawk has ever taken?

    Sorry I missed this... I was going to check the status of the Red-tail nest, when the Red-tail alarm calls drew my attention. The owl was very close to the nest on the ground and the Red-tail was diving on it. The owl looked as it had already been stunned, since it wasn't trying to fly away...
  14. talon_dfa

    Why do Bald Eagles have 4 different plumages???

    Many good points above. But Keep in mind, that it is a common mistake to assume that there is adaptive value attached to all "favorable" mutations. Many mutations have persisted, not because they are "favorable", but because they are not too "expensive" (neutral mutations). Natal down &...
  15. talon_dfa

    Help

    Finding plenty of food in the surrounding area or finding easy food at your feeder? I would choose the later. I am curious about the broad-wing taking birds from a feeder in Delaware in December. I hate to say "never", but more likely that bird is a Juvy Cooper's Hawk. (Broad-wings should be...
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