Weekend Photos - 3/30/18

[chuck]

Drones have the potential for a whole new meaning to "disposable income"

I've seen some fantastic images captured and some insane levels of stupidity (like operating a drone in the flight path of air port approach and take off corridors). The astounding part to me is the raptor population that really dislikes these devices and have little or no trouble downing them. The dutch are training eagles to bring down any drones operating in restricted areas. The birds bring them down and then shred them. The trainers have trouble getting them to "let go". The birds know it's not edible but they really, really, really don't like them.

[Tom Dempsey]

I wonder if it's the noise.

[Roy]

Or, you could get into collectible sneakers. Big bucks there, right now.

[chuck]

They are very intelligent birds. While their brain mass is not that great, the nerve density is.

We have a number of red tailed hawks on north campus. Most people are completely oblivious to their presence even though you can see them perching on the taller street lights on campus (if you look). I saw one near the main bus stop and was watching it. A couple of students were wondering what I was looking at and pretty soon there were 15-20 people looking up at the bird, pointing and taking pictures with their camera phones. The bird was watching this happen and became increasingly agitated, shifting its weight from side to side. We weren't supposed to be paying attention! After about a minute of exposure the bird launched itself into the air and flew off to what it hoped would be a more secluded spot.

[rogruth]

Christopher.
I look forward every week to your weekend photos.

You have become quit the professional photographer......

lol thanks. I actually did sell a few copies of that CSX bridge pic in the last week. It looks really nice as a print.

Your very first photo above looks like it is of a very well done HO or O scale layout.
Just the opposite of the models that look real but probably just as hard to do.
Really very nice.

[MYmoo]

... The astounding part to me is the raptor population that really dislikes these devices and have little or no trouble downing them. The dutch are training eagles to bring down any drones operating in restricted areas. The birds bring them down and then shred them. The trainers have trouble getting them to "let go". The birds know it's not edible but they really, really, really don't like them.

I share the raptor's view about drones, ANY type.

They are very intelligent birds. ...

It is foolish to think that Hu-mans can equal or exceed a raptor's skill in ariel 'warfare',and/or 'surveilence'(sp?).

They have thousands (or millions) of years (depending upon who's views you accept) to perfect their skills.

I wonder if it's the noise.

@Tom, I don't think it was the noise, rather an invasion of their 'space'.

I have witnessed, several times, small raptors take on ravens/crows several times their size and make them 'get gone fast!' (as quickly as they could).