The Crested /Changeable Hawk Eagle (CHE) is a raptor that is widespread resident in India. As we had mentioned in one of our earlier posts, its a shy Bird of prey and rarely sits in an open perch . In our opinion a wild CHE will allow you as close as 30-50 feet, before getting spooked, except when it is hunting.
During one of our jeep safaris into the Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka, India we had this rare encounter with the CHE. It was one of the morning safaris where we had a good sighting of Asiatic Elephants, the Indian Gaur, a couple of species of Woodpecker and a Crested Serpent Eagle. We had almost reached the end of the safari, and were on our way back, when suddenly this CHE came flying past our jeep and landed on a tree, by the side of the tracks, about 75 feet from us. As our jeep was getting closer to the CHE, it descended on the forest floor at the base of a tree. A CHE on the ground is not something seen very often and we took the opportunity to get to as close as within 20-25 feet (way inside the comfort zone of Raptors). All the cameras in the jeep were firing away. The CHE completely ignored us and was intently looking into a hollow at the base of the tree. - laying in wiat for its prey! We were sure that there was a small mammal in the tree hollow that had rushed seconds before trying to escape the claws of the CHE. We were fortunate to witness this hustling behavior of this majestic raptor. It kept alternating between sitting on a low-hanging branch of the tree intently looking into the tree hollow and then descending on it and trying to find a way to het into it. Then finally after 15 minutes into the routine, with no signs of the prey coming out, it gave up the hunt and flew away.Here are a series of images from that rare sighting of a CHE on the forest floor. The camera setup is our favorite D300 with the 300mm f2.8 lens mounted with the 2x TC. I experimented with the auto ISO sensitivity control mode (to provide minimum shutter speed at 1/200s). Interestingly it threw up some vague ISO settings to maintain minimum shutter speed . Incidentally it was the first and last time I used this feature.
EXIF-600mm focal length, f5.6, 1/200s, ISO360, -1.0EV
EXIF-600mm focal length, f5.6, 1/200s, ISO800, -0.7EV
EXIF-600mm focal length, f5.6, 1/200s, ISO560, -1.0EV
EXIF-600mm focal length, f5.6, 1/200s, ISO360, -1.0EV
EXIF-600mm focal length, f5.6, 1/200s, ISO450, -1.0EV
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107 comments:
WOW! This is a very beautiful bird! I love the feathers on his head.
:))
Amazing captures!!!
A magnificient eagle Thomas and beautiful shots of it too. That crest makes if very easy to identify.
Brilliant! I've always wondered why they are called changeable hawk eagle, though. What's so changeable about them?!
I haven't as yet found out!
Great photos and a really interesting encounter with this fascinating bird.
The CHE or Mohawk! Just kidding, this is amazing as usual.
Excellent shots ! Same here in Borneo, CHE is shy and never had good pictures of this species too coz to far !
Impressive, outstanding .. realy great shot Thomas .. you make my sunday
being the changeable hawk, I was expecting a photo series that demonstrated how it transformed itself from a hawk in to a giant robotic alien-smashing demon being. or at least a very fast car. none of that. what a disappointment.
but even without all that action, the photos of the [un-]changeable hawk are stunning!
Dale
http://alpinebirds.blogspot.com
It has the streaked chest of an immature bird...but not knowing anything about this species, I am guessing it is immature. It certainly has long legs so must hunt snakes...probably wrong again. LOL
I will give up guessing and say the photos are excellent and the bird is beautiful.
A beautiful bird beautifully photographed!
Not a fan of AutoISO, eh?
Good work!!!
Oh my goodness....what a gorgeous raptor. I love his little topknot!
Fantastic shoots.
Great serial.
Bravo.
Yvon.
Hi Thomas,
This is a very impressive post, with magnificent pictures of a gorgeous bird... Looks at its long, powerful legs... Brrr! You do not really want to be a mouse around!! His talons seem to be so big!! And what about the eyes. All your pictures are putting these features in evidence...
Sharp and well composed pictures, as usually my friend!
Terrific photos of a great bird.
wow! stunning pictures.
brilliant shots thomas! i love the images because of the degree of difficulty you might have had to capture them.
that sure is a magnificent creature you captured there! excellent shot! :)
Congrats on having such a rare sighting! It must have been a thrill. Thanks for sharing some of your great images with us.
Excellent images as always, especialy the first one. What a wonderful bird...
wow wow wow amazing work as usual Thomas.....and that's a beautiful bird with lovely feathers! I loved its beautiful beak!!!!
Amazing frames! A great thing! Thomas, Your works one can only admire...:)
Awesome captures of the Changeable Hawk Eagle Thomas! Some of my best photos were taken as the bird was hunting. I suppose if they are hungry enough, they will take the chance on an intruder.
What a great series. I love the topknot but I am a sucker for captures of raptors that are looking right at you. That first image is intense! Those yellow eyes have you nailed.
Magnificent! These are splendid photos of a beautiful subject. How very lucky for you that it didn't leave when you approached so near.
And honestly, it's the magic in those yellow eyes, always alert, always watchful. Very cool!
beautiful bird portraits
'proudness' is the word that comes to my mind when i see this animal
Absolutely Awesome!!!!!
what a beautiful bird! gr8 shots too ... but i wish u didnt miss the tail portion
Woowwww Thomas! Excellent capture and a gr8 info with it..:) I liked the hairs on his head..It looking like a crown..Isn't it?
Beautiful bird great photos
Just superb captures! He looks like a proud Indian chiftain of old.
Wow, those eyes are intense. Great photos!
Beautiful bird and wonderful shots, especially the fourth one. This proud and penetrating look is really impressive.
Thomas: What a neat hawk, it has neat legs.
Wow those eyes are marvellous!
Lovely, regal bird. I love his tapering body, his alert eyes and his little tail behind the head (-:
Los ojos son impresionantes, pero es que cada pose de cada fotografia, lo es aun mas.
Como siempre un excelente trabajo.
Saludos.
Does eyes blink during night hours?
If yes, I would love to watch the same photograph at Moonlight.
Great click.
Claps !!!
wow I love this serie
Wow..great shoots! Congrats!
I just love the colours on the CHE, i know people will say it's not the most colourful BOP but just look at those shots!! Great work!
Awesome shots, Thomas. 600mm..oh how I would like to own one of those lens..but I still wouldn't get the perfect shots you capture for your blog..
he is stunning..and I love the feathers that rise off of his head!! Congrats on getting some great pics of this guy!
Great photos! I like the third one where the crest feathers are upturned.
and again a bautiful serie ! we'll end up being real experts in Indain fauna ! ;-)
I am impressed by the size of its legs and thighs !!! looks very tough !
the eyes really stand out beautifully!
menuda secuencia! impresionantes
A very "elegant" eagle and some beautiful shots of it.
I have never seen or heard about such am eagle, but it reminds me of the secretary bird and I'm wondering if it has something in common with it.
These are excellent captures of a beautiful bird, the first thing I noticed were the eyes! I like the profile which makes the feathers on its head very visible. Thank you for sharing, Thomas.
Whoah! Amazing!!
Gorgeous photos and what a fantastic bird!
Wow, what a gorgeous bird! You got some fantastic captures there, Thomas!
Such a beautiful, majestic bird..heck...such beautiful, majestic photography! Love the intense look on his face. Always a pleasure to visit you, Thomas!
Simply the best! Great photographs! :)
These images are just so perfect! I know you are not happy with the auto ISO settings that your camera chose - but I have to say - you did capture all the details in good light! I can't go past 800 ISO on my Nikon or I get grainy pictures...once in a while 1600 will work if the conditions are right. I really can't choose a favorite - I LOVE each one and you really captured those cool head feathers so well!
Wow, those legs and claws look so powerful. You got some great poses with those intense eyes
What an amazing bird Thomas! The ornamental feathers on the head are spectacular! You got great close-ups!
I'm really impressed with everything you do here Thomas, photography, journals and you do know what you're doing...Great blog and I've done my voting too...Goodluck and hope you do win this challenge.
Hey Thomas! I had to practically risk my LIFE to give you that one vote man. You owe me!
Great pics. I'd like this bird as a pet.
stunning images! I love the feathers that come off the top of it's head!
Magnifique oiseau. C'est curieux comme ses pattes sont longues par rapport à son corps.
Birds of prey one of my favorite. What a beautiful and powerful looking creature. Outstanding shots!!
A spectacular bird and nicely captured.
Wow ! What a gorgeous bird ! Raptors are so beautiful...
Your pics are stunning ! I love them.
Great series of images. You have done justice to a bird of prey.
Cheers
I love his little top knot! And my he has gorgeous legs!
This Hawk displays such intelligence. Such a beautiful bird, and so very well photographed as always. Nice work.
If it weren't for you and your persistence, Thomas, I would never see the creatures you keep bringing to us, week after week! Thank you.
Beautiful bird & beautiful capture!!!
What gorgeous crisp shots. That bird sure has long legs.
What a superb animal! Your last shot shows so well his profile!
Well done.
you are an absolute exception in animal photography, your work is first class
Incredible focal you used : 600mm ?? waouh.... wonderful bird. Bravo
Wonderful!
The eyes ...
Encore bravo!
mta et François
Can's say anything ! these pictures make me speachless ! (doesn't happen very often, lol ) just wonderful !
An amazing series of images. I love how you captured the detail and the fierce expression on the raptors face.
I notice you underexposed somewhat, to capture detail in the highlights. I often do this with deer and elk to preserve some detail in the white areas on the deer and the pale sides on the elk.
Best Wishes in your competition in the photoblog awards.
A superb series of this remarkable bird. I love the detail in his feather and his fierce look. Fine shooting.
I'm impressed by the sharpness. Fantastic !
What royal presence in this bird!!! And he had particular impressive eyes. Good luck about drive challenge. It's always pleasant to match a face to the blog owner.
What a regal face! And amazing, piercing eyes. Great shots.
A beautiful bird !
An amazing series of images dear Thomas, thank you very much
Wowww, Amazing captures Thomas!
You are nr 1 exception in animal photography :-)
Have a nice day
Grz Sien
What a proud and beautiful bird. I really like the feathers on his head!
Amazing bird, great images ;)
Simply stunning work Thomas. Photographers and explorers like you are very rare in this world.
Keep sharing the beautiful photographs.
Kanda Bhaji from Sinhgadh (AKA Sinhgad, Sinhagad, Sinhagadh)
My dear Shilpy and Thomas,
I am slow and steady becoming one of your fans and admirers.
Keep up the photos of wildlife coming. But do NOT omit the Homo Sapiens species from your shoots. A pic or two of humans will help put humans back into Nature -- at least on your natural blog.
Another suggestion: While the single-column grid is great to view photographs, it is difficult to read across the screen. I do not know if there are technical obstacles on blogger, but you should think about a two or three column grid for text.
I have started my own campaign for both of you. I hope you win. If you don't, the journey is its own reward.
Peace and love,
- Joe.
Beautiful captures!
Just too good, very crisp images!
Superb shots as usual.
Beautiful photos and very neat! When i don't have time to travel in nature, it is always very intresting to find nature in your photos!
Such long legs, I would never have guessed ! Majestuous*
wouaaaaaa, very fantastik capture ! i like it very much
Really wonderful bird. Excellent captures!
You got my vote!
Rare sighting of CHE on the ground.
Beautiful !
This is magnificent! Your photography is such an inspiration to me!
Thomas where do you live??? I got to come and travel with you, wow these are one of the best images I ever seen. Great work, Anna :)
Thomas,
You should just quit your day job and get into professional wildlife photography.
Lovely pictures and I am amazed at the luck you guys have. Every other post you talk about how difficult it is to spot a certain animal or bird and....voila....you produce great masterpieces.
We are just back from the trip. As soon as I get done with my work, I will write a testimonial on the driving challenge site for you.
This has to be one awesome supermodel of the bird world... look at those legs!
That last photo looks such a picture of frustration!
Amazing shots
Does this bird have extra long legs or is it just my envy speaking?
Beautiful photos, as usual.
I voted.
Simply amazing shots of this gorgeous bird.
Very nice, and I love the detail. Such a beautiful bird.
Fantastic captures! Great looking animal too. Thanks for sharing with us these wonders :)
wow! great eyes. that's intense.
Magnifique ! J'adore l'allure royale des rapaces.
Eagles are always very attractive and that too with this close shots with such a clarity, is really wonderful! Great details
Wow awesome shots, so detailed and clear. Another great series.
Exceptional shots of this winged hunter!
These are fantastic!!! I'm running behind on my favorite blogs so this is such a treat.
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