Red-tailed Hawk showing alula and King Snake

Not the best light but interesting for us pilots.

Note the forward projections on the wings called ”alula” (little wing) or “bastard wings”. These are like the thumbs of a hand and are deployed like the slats of a larger aircraft. They allow extra lift at slower landing speeds without causing a stall.. which could be embarrassing for a bird and worse for a pilot. This bird was dumping altitude for a landing, hence the folded wings, but still needed some lift.

It's an awesome shot to me Steve, I've seen  a few shot of bird with snake but in my bird shooting life I've never seen one. TFS!

While technically not the best shot, the flight control surfaces being

shown here caught my eye. Hope you don't mind a bit of tech talk.

Thanks for viewing.

Thanks Tue,  here's a shot at about 50 meters earlier.  The wings are folded back somewhat more to reduce lift and altitude; the nest was about 40 meters below it at this point.  The alula are already deployed to adjust the approach.

As the bird neared the nest the wings became more open and were fully flared at the nest resulting in a perfect full stall landing.  That shot was had the branches in the way but you get the idea.

If only my landings were as graceful. 

Technically perfect, as always!

Best regards Steve!

PDE

It is interesting to learn about the landing techniques of this hawk. Thanks for taking the time- we learned something today! Great shots too!

Thanks for the kind comments, this took many days and hours of waiting as is typical with wildlife photography but getting a shot of the wings was worth it for me.

It almost looks like two birds in one.  A beautiful capture and well worth the expended time.  Just think how nice it would be to operate all your controls by thought!  Maybe we'll have a "Firefox" craft someday :-)...  Mike

Thanks Mike. Your wish is their command...

http://www.smartplanet.com/blog/smart-takes/brain-implants-could-control-computers-by-2020-intel-says/2219  and the computers already control aircraft landings on aircraft carriers better than humans... says the Navy.

BUT,  will they be able to make a good Martini?

That's interesting stuff, but something about the term "implant" in my brain is a real turnoff.  I see fascinating applications for the disabled though.  Thanks for the article.

In the meantime Mr. Hawk accomplishes all that effortlessly by instinct.... Mike

again Mr. Steve wonderful shot . long time no see

Yeah, the whole flight thing is incredible.  I always envision a bird landing when I do mine but somehow mine seldom turn out as well as theirs  but then they have to good sense to not try crosswind landings.

Hey Jordan, nice of you to grace us with your presence again.  If you feel like blowing many hours and usually getting nothing, drop by the site.  A lot of the usual suspects are still hanging around.

Hi Steve

while you all talk about aero dynamic and technique, I couldn't help sparing a thought for the snake who was probably thinking "shoot, wish I'd stayedin bed this morning!"

For me this is just a great "action" shot. Love it to bits.

Kind regards Louise

Unique and incredible! I don't know enough to critique this....lol...I can just say I have never seen anything like it.

Great captures and a great thread..... well worth the read.

Well done my friend

Best regards

Super job on this buddy

Thanks for the comments and stopping by.