A real master at work....

[Davethebluessinger]

Just came across this video online.
Not strictly RC related (oops! forgive me Mods) but I'm sure that everyone who watches this will be enthralled to see a master of silent flight in action.

European Eagle Owl on final approach filmed at 1000 frames per second.

Enjoy!

http://www.dogwork.com/owfo8/

[Turner]

That is amazing.

[Davethebluessinger]

Yeah, the last few seconds are truly spectacular.
What a beautiful creature - it really makes me glad to be alive when I see things like that, designed by nature and absolutely perfect.
I was lucky enough to hold a European Eagle Owl last year, they're no lightweight and I can tell you those talons are massive!

[NJSwede]

It's cool to see how he's constantly changing the wing chord as he's slowing down. Even the most advanced flap/spoiler system in the world doesn't come close to that.

[gramps2161]

That is cool seeing the wing action and how they work in a landing.
I posted this one a while ago. This is a video with a peregrine and a camera mounted on the head flying through the woods. Wish I could do this with a plane.
http://www.burdr.com/2010/01/fly-wit...and-a-goshawk/

[Davethebluessinger]

Kinda puts mans clumsy attempts at flying in perspective really doesn't it?

Here in the UK we have a kids TV show called "Deadly 60". The presenters looks at all sorts of creatures and rate them on their special skills and killing power.
This summer we took the kids along to their TV roadshow.
Part of the roadshow was held in a large open auditorium where they were flying certain birds of prey. At one point they had an owl flying less than 1ft over the heads of some blindfolded kids. The game was that the kids had to drop down into a crouch when they heard or felt the owl pass overhead. Over about 6 passes they never sensed the owl once!
RESPECT!

[stuart]

i posted awhile back a video eagles pulling mountain goats off cliffs for dinner....,incredibly strong birds. there were more videos of guys on horse back carrying eagles and hunting with them,these birds would kill wolves. all i could think is "how is it they don't get broken wings"

birds are amazing creatures!!!!!!!!! thanks for sharing those videos.

[gramps2161]

I love watching birds of prey flying I always marvel at their seemingly effortless flight, and how agile they can be.

I remember that video Stu amazing how powerful they are to take on a animal of that size.

[stuart]

/


Videos for eagle hunting in mongoliaGolden eagle hunting

[stuart]

Mesmerizing bird flight fractals. [VIDEO]
Mesmerizing bird flight fractals. Prev · Random Video



not sure where in the uk these guys fly or if thats even right...lol,,,but these starlings sure do know how to mix it up,and i'm guessing theyer not smashinhing into each other .but rather skill fully navigate the patterns they form. then again ,the ground might be covered in unconsiouse birds

[Davethebluessinger]

Starlings gather like this all over the UK. I've watched them many times and I've never seen a single collision. Like a shoal of fish they seem to bond together to form a larger living being!

[firemanbill]

That was very impressive!

[stuart]

its really cool to think they can cause so many different shapes and not run into each other...there was a site on the net that took photos of them flying and would say what they looked like.

example,Micky mouse,president lincoln..ect..ect....

i also noticed the flocks flying in the background were huge.

Dave, is it true that these huge flocks of starlings are considered a nuisance. if i lived under where they liked to fly.....,washing the car daily would be in order.

[firemanbill]

Another great one with birds... lots of them!

Murmuration on Vimeo

[earthsciteach]

Wow! Beautiful! The intense look in the eyes is awesome. I'm running out of adjectives to describe the coolness of this vid.

[AirmanAirhead]

Majestic! A beautiful example of God's Handiwork. I watched it over and over!

[Davethebluessinger]

Glad you're all enjoying the Eagle Owl clip.
I never really took much interest in birds until I took up RC flying, now I have a new found interest and respect for them!
Stuart, yes starlings are considered to be the "troublemakers" of UK gardens. Their pushy behaviour and the fact that they travel in little gangs means that they tend to bully other more "desirable" species off our bird tables and feeders. That said, when they flock like this just before they migrate for the winter they make a magnificent spectacle. Personally I love to watch the antics of the young fledgling starlings as they appear in my garden each summer, they are so cheeky and cantankerous with it! Oh and yes, if you live on their migration flightpath you do tend to get guanoed!
Last Christmas eve I was out with the kids delivering cards to friends who live on Cannock Chase (google it). I decided to take a shortcut and took a track that runs alongside a disused quarry. As we got towards the end of the track my headlights picked up a large Barn Owl who proceeded to put on a short flying display for us! It was a truly magical moment, all in all around 1 minute long. I'm tempted to see if I can repeat the experience this year.

Let me take this opportunity to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy and crash-free New Year!