This Falkland Islands raptor is a striated caracara, or as the locals call them, the Johnny Rook. The egg was stolen from one of the gentoo penguin colonies that you can see in the background. The Johnny Rooks kept trying to break the egg with their talons but just couldn’t figure out how to do it. They also didn’t quite know what to make of the photographer that was right in front of the egg, prompting this one to turn its head upside down in hopes of gaining an answer. Wherever I went, these birds were always close by, waiting for me to drop something like a lens cap (which I did) to steal (which they did) for their nests. Apparently, the day before I arrived they made off with a woman’s Louis Vuittan leather gloves. Nikon D810 with Nikkor 17-35mm lens (at 17mm) ISO 1600, f/9 at 1/1600th of a second
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This Falkland Islands raptor is a striated caracara, or as the locals call them, the Johnny Rook. The egg was stolen from one of the gentoo penguin colonies that you can see in the background. The Johnny Rooks kept trying to break the egg with their talons but just couldn’t figure out how to do it. They also didn’t quite know what to make of the photographer that was right in front of the egg, prompting this one to turn its head upside down in hopes of gaining an answer. Wherever I went, these birds were always close by, waiting for me to drop something like a lens cap (which I did) to steal (which they did) for their nests. Apparently, the day before I arrived they made off with a woman’s Louis Vuittan leather gloves.
To ponder the imponderable —- An avian mind seeks an alternate view —- Of the age old question.
Great shot and I love the story about the gloves. There’s a Johnny Rook out there with a very fancy nest.
No doubt Maria.
In this empty flat land —- Any vertical thing becomes a monument—- How good to be tall.
Good bird. Good story.
hilarious!!
How interesting.
great pic. did check to se if they would steal any coins like pennies or times ect. ?
Hey Michael, I didn’t test it but I’m sure they would take coins. They take whatever they can get their hands on that isn’t too big to fly away with.