Attack of the Zombie-Hawks! by Alex Lamoreaux on Nemesis Bird

1Jun/115

Attack of the Zombie-Hawks!

There isnt really an attack of zombie-hawks here in Idaho....but if you look at the following pictures, you might think there is. Often while I am photographing raptors, I take a shot right when the bird happens to be closing its nictating membrane across their eye. This transparent eyelid is present on all birds, but is especially useful to raptors in order to clean their eyes and to protect their eyes when they are flying through dense brush. Without eyes in tip-top shape, it would make hunting even harder for these predators. However, its not really that great when I am trying to get a nice photo of a raptor and they decide to close that membrane, because then it makes them look like they have zombie eyes! Anyway, below are four photos that show what I mean, and I dont know what else to do with these shots. Since their nictating membrane is shown, these photos are almost down-right scary!

'Zombie' Red-tailed Hawk - juvenile western light type

'Zombie' Golden Eagle - adult

'Zombie' Swainson's Hawk - juvenile light type

'Zombie' Red-tailed Hawk - adult western light type

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Filed under: General Info, General Rant, Photography, raptors Leave a comment

Harrisburg Yellow-crowned Night-Herons » « Flammulated Owl Surveys near Ashton, Idaho

http://profiles.google.com/birdingisfun Robert Mortensen

That’s pretty funny! I’ve noticed that with plenty of other birds but not with raptors.
Robert_becker70

Just curious…are you using a flash? This same condition (“Steel Eye”) is caused by over-flashing the bird.

Alex Lamoreaux

Hello,

I am not using a flash…in fact I rarely ever use flash except for close up shots of forest birds on some occasions. But I have noticed that before. However, in this case, the ‘steel eye’ was just the bird’s nictating membrane.

http://swfloridabirder.blogspot.com/ Bob

Knowledgeable of this behavior quite well. Many of my single shots of BIFs of varying species offer a view of their nictating membrane almost as a rewarding study in itself. This behavior is why one should consider taking multiple photographs of the bird at its approach preferably.
Anna Fasoli

Zombies Alex? Really?!

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