Last Thoughts

dang.

Headache

complete with tail?

the verge of consumption... nestled in the seaside bluffs of Half Moon Bay, CA.

I almost fell off my chair when I saw the simultaneous expression of predator and prey....
(best viewed large)

The FlickrBlog wrote, with a bit of alarmism:
“Flickr user jurvetson has captured an amazing fraction of a second in the interaction between prey and bird of prey. Warning: this photo is NOT for viewers who would be disturbed by images of small cute things meeting their end - it is really quite gruesome. If that sounds like you, don't click."

(repost after accidental deletion... 148 wonderful comments and 308 faves are lost... sorry)

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Comments

Todd Huffman says:

First Post!
(sort of)
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Todd Huffman says:

There is a partial cache on the Goog... if you haven't grabbed it already...
209.85.135.104/search?q=cache:0DLxrGiI_SkJ:ww w.flickr.com...
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

NutsyFagan says:

It's just as amazing the second time around.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

Todd - awesome. I had forgotten about that. Thanks. It's great to have the old comments. I was able to grab some of the replies I wrote to earlier questions:

The hawk took two swoops down before making the catch.
After the first miss, I discovered an entire family of quail that were remaining totally silent (to me at least) right next to me. After the catch, the hawk landed on a precipice along the jagged bluffs. I was able to watch the whole meal from the other side of a steep gully. So I was close, but safely separated by a chasm. Amazingly, after the meal, the hawk flew over the chasm and landed just a few feet away. She stared at her observer for a while before flying off. It was a magic moment.
---
No Photoshop or image processing of any kind. Just a crop from the original. Except for HDR merges, I don't use Photoshop with any of my photos.
---
I got an email from a field biologist... It's a juvenile red-tailed hawk dining on a California meadow vole (Microtis californicus).

Voles sure are interesting... Prairie voles are rare among mice for their "faithful marriages" (pair bonding, mongamy, and joint rasing of the young). Other voles and mice exhibit none of those traits. Tom Insel has done some fascinating experiments to genetically regulate the number of oxytocin and vasopressin receptors (which link to the D2 dopamine receptors associated with drug addiction) in the vole brain. Mating causes a release of both hormones, but the right receptors have to be in the brain for the pair-bonding to follow.

In short, Tom was able to switch monogamy on and off. Monogamy may boil down to the length of a DNA sequence in a promoter switch at the front of a particular receptor gene.
---
After much discussion, wikipedia made it a "featured picture", which means that members of the community have identified it as one of the finest images on the English Wikipedia." =)
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

!MimosaMicheMichelle! says:

Oh no! I had written a long text about how this is not more gruesome than anyone eating at the table! Too bad for you and all of us Steve.

Still a great photo!!!!

How did this happen and are other photos lost?
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

No just this photo. It was a freak occurrence. I was removing the photo from some Groups (as an old photo, it was in more than the current maximum)... and then poof... it was gone. Flickr folks were very helpful in preserving the URL though, so all of the outside links (from Wikipedia, etc.) should still work.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

!MimosaMicheMichelle! says:

I bet the whole think is somewhere and could be retrieved if you asked. It is an important photo with interesting comments and it would be worth it.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

Yeah.... in the Google archive (for now) and in the backup tapes at flickr. But they would have to take the site down to roll that back. Bottom line: Deleting is very permanent here.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

!MimosaMicheMichelle! says:

I am planning since over a year to copy all my important comments in a document. I have some since over 22 months. I should have done that with what I wrote here.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

!MimosaMicheMichelle! says:

My original comment (you cannot get the second page in Google but I at least found my first one, the one I care about that I find important here.) Thanks Steve for reminding me.

10 months ago

Fantastic capture!!!

Disturbing. One can imagine being that prey!

Yet, consider this:

If the hawk were at home or in a restaurant, sitting at a beautifully set dining table, fork and knife in hand and had a perfectly cooked vole covered with a red wine sauce on a plate with a piece of the meat in his mouth, would we react the same way?

To be truly disturbed, I must first evaluate the eating habits of all of earth's living creatures, including human beings. In the end, I see little basic difference. We all eat to survive. Some are carnivores, some are vegetarians, some can be both. Intelligent human beings have this choice. Even if people cook meats, they still eat most of the parts of another creature on the food chain. Does cooking, flavouring, seasoning and combining various ingredients make the consumption of an animal less gross? We eat guilt-free because no one else can judge us. If more evolved beings from another world were to see how we feed ourselves, they might find our eating habits extremely disgusting and disturbing. It is all a matter of perspective and intelligence.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

nels1 says:

that's a major bummer steve:(

i think my comment just re-iterated what an amazing shot this was. and just for hyperlinking goodness, here's the link to also show that you won the theme photo of the week for "The Detail" in the Scientist Photographers' group:)
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

TheAlieness GiselaGiardino²³ says:

wow... very sorry to know about this. On a funny note: you are getting closer to the Flickr man himself (however, I do hope you never reach his score)

Remember when Stewart deleted his entire album? Talk about permanent deletion...!!! HE himself couldn´t undo it.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

The Rocketeer says:

Steve.... I'll re-fave it to help you get it back into the Explore pages....
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

padu_merloti says:

I wasn't one of your original faves, but it deserves a fresh new one! Congrats for the very well taken photo.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

Thanks y'all. You rock.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Josh Thompson says:

When you posted this yesterday, I was wondering how you got the O(200 x10^6) URL. You got Flickr to intervene...nice of them. Did they really say that they had the old comments on tape somewhere? You would think that for such a "notable" Flickerite they could at least copy them all into an email for you.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Abizeleth says:

Wonderful capture! I saw this the first time around and it's still astounding!

NaturesFinest
Please add this great photo to Natures Finest
Tag your photo with "NaturesFinest"

>>>seen on
1-2-3 group
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Gypsy Flores Photography says:

Please do not post a photo to Spectacular Animals until it is invited. Each photo must be individually invited to the group. Photos without the invitation will be deleted from the Group.
In the Discussions on the Group’s Main Page , there is a possibility where you can post a photo that you think deserves to be included in the group and members can invite them.
---------
However, in this exceptional case, I think that this image would be a wonderful addition, so I have inserted the proper invitation.

I really like your animal photo!
You are invited to post this photo to Spectacular Animals, invite only
www.flickr.com/groups/spectacular_animals/
Please add the tag SpecAnimal to your photo

I am assuming the original invite was lost in the deletion.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

Yes, it was invited. It is weird in the case of a reposting like this.
Posted 29 months ago. ( permalink )

Little Lisa's ( Really busy ) says:

Fantastic capture.
A+++ Grade Photo
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

jybikerboy says:

(ACTION NOW) Great shot. 400mm must be nice. Crazy timing on your pic.
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

melcir.meri says:

Amazing shot, much admired by Melcir.meri, "FIRST - THE EARTH!" Group Admin [Haggis's "Merlin with Woodpecker" reminded me of this pic - in our 2007 Photo Competition!!! -- www.flickr.com/photos/haggis/928033673/in/pho tostream/ !!]

-- Since TIME'S RUSHING ON, let's stop just paying LIP-SERVICE to LIFE! ~ Volunteer!!! Make a strong personal commitment to our planet and the future!!! ** Here's our 2007-8 life-changing challenge! -- Become an active realtime or online VOLUNTEER, for - "FIRST - THE EARTH!" Photo-ART EXHIBITION & Optional Competition group. ** First, join us. Then add comments/ +give our AWARDS to other images, plus find and AWARD great shots with invites -- to help raise awareness of The State of the Planet, and of Preserving our Heritage & our Future! Choose a Volunteer tasks to suit your time and needs.
** MEMBERS ~ IMPORTANT! [JOIN, TO READ+REPLY] - See: www.flickr.com/groups/first-the-earth/discuss /72157600556... ESSENTIAL note !!! ** - Mel [Group Admin - "FIRST - THE EARTH!"]
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

Franc Le Blanc says:

A great image, much admired by
-- enter your own name here --,
a "FIRST - THE EARTH!" member
You are invited to add it to our group pool!
www.flickr.com/groups/first-the-earth/
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

hhsc/Greg says:

This was originally nominated for the Scientist Photographers Group Competition months ago - before it was deleted. So it deserves to remain in the group
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

hhsc/Greg says:

BTW - loved it back then and I STILL think that it is an AMAZING photo!
Posted 27 months ago. ( permalink )

ShawnXian (Busy trying to Heal) says:

It is obviously an amazing image. Incredible timing and shot so well. But an interesting thing to me is the high number of views compared to the relatively low number of faves. (Yes, I realize this is a re-post.) That said, I find myself reluctant to fave this! Interesting indeed. And, in the final action, faved after all.

Congratulations on your excellent work and the well deserved recognition.
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

twohalfnotes [deleted] says:

How gruesome. I love it. =)
Posted 25 months ago. ( permalink )

Donna62 says:

A great image, much admired by Donna62 --,
a "FIRST - THE EARTH!" moderator - www.flickr.com/groups/first-the-earth/
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

DanBrady says:

Heads up! Amazing shot, congrats on the magazine - I hope you were paid well ;-)
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

Alvaro Herreras says:

I have seen this shot in wikipedia... cool
Posted 24 months ago. ( permalink )

doubleagent says:

wow, I thought my photo was vicious... but I think you've trumped me!
Posted 23 months ago. ( permalink )

restlessthought says:

(shivers)....... really an amazing photo.
In my hikes I have watched dozens of raptors tear the sinews of prey, but never have I seen such an iconic image.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

overthemoon says:

truly fantastic shot. Did the little vole scream?
(found it by clicking on the hawk that's in a thread in TWTME)
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

usr.c says:

An absolutely stunning shot, love it.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

ComputerHotline says:

Thanks for licensing this image as CC "by" !
Your photo is uploaded here :
commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Image:Hawk_eating_ prey.jpg
under the terms of the Creative Commons "by" license.
Posted 22 months ago. ( permalink )

nels1 says:

i finally got around to putting up my scientist photographers flickr group calendar on my wall yesterday and this photo is featured for the month of Feb, so i'm sure i'll be getting a lot of comments from friends!

for anyone that's interested in supporting our calendar (all profits are donated to Medecins Sans Frontieres / Doctors without Borders), you can purchase one here :)
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

Awesome.... I had forgotten about that. Just ordered one now. Thanks.
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

nels1 says:

excellent:)
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

Archangel27 says:

Wow...This is a truly phenomenal capture!
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

marvin4pet says:

Saw this on the "favourite animal shots" stream and had to stop by to say what a stunning capture.
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

--------Sunshine-------- [deleted] says:

I think the rat is still looking at me, excellent capture. :)
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

avlxyz says:

wow... great photo if a bit gruesome!
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

TroyWorks says:

This could be a new olympic sport, synchronized prey eating.,. notice this contestant has the toes pointed as well. Leading our judge panel to aware it a 9.3, 9.1, a 9.3, and a 6...from the judge who thought this was a PETA sponsored event.
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

Oleksandr Bondar says:

Excellent moment. Live and dead.
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

marthinotf says:

Momento cumbre ... la alimentación !!! Preciosa foto que vi en el grupo. Flickr Faves.

La bajo a mis favoritas y te señalo como contacto amigo.

Saludos cordiales
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

RoundboyzPhotography says:

truly a once in a lifetime catch!
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

shanda.w says:

wow - this belongs on national geographic!
Posted 21 months ago. ( permalink )

SmilingSunflower says:

Congrats! This photo won 2ND PLACE in the COMMENTED WITH WOW Contest in Winner's Circle - 5 Contests At All Times!

--
Seen in a discussion of Winner's Circle - 5 New Contests - rich66 Icon Winner. (?)
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

frogofpeace says:

one in a million!
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

amataiclaudius says:

Excellent capture......viewed large it is quite unique
Posted 20 months ago. ( permalink )

nels1 says:

speaking of birds of prey, this is an amazing video...
Posted 19 months ago. ( permalink )

STI Performance says:

fantastic shot
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

sallylondon says:

Totally and utterly stunning shot. The expression on both when I viewed it large was incredible!! Fav'd it.

'B' Theme at:
The World Through My Eyes
Posted 18 months ago. ( permalink )

PhOtOnQuAnTiQuE says:

Thought you may like that one ; )

Buteo Lineatus - Last Flight of the Day. by kittyseye
Posted 17 months ago. ( permalink )

aeroculus says:

I thought this shot looked familiar when I came across this site
earlier today.
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

Good eye - he changed it out rather than give attribution. Oh well...
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

JuttaMK says:

Hi, I'm an admin for a group called BORN TO BE WILD (by Invitation Only), and we'd love to have this added to the group!

Great catch!!!
Posted 13 months ago. ( permalink )

Tomi Tapio says:

Teh wow.
Posted 12 months ago. ( permalink )

Raffy Carvalheira says:

Oh wow!

Awesome shot! One of the best i ever seen!

poor rodent tho!
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

jurvetson says:

Raffy - Thanks!
Posted 8 months ago. ( permalink )

oldcola_ says:

I can't help it, I keep wondering how the hawk taste.

Great shot.
Posted 5 months ago. ( permalink )

dbootsthediva says:

This is a excellent photo. Seems like I am actually standing there and seeing it with my own eyes.
May I ask a question. Why does the weed behind the bird compress into almost specific geometrical shapes? I have been noticing this specific about plants, trees,leaves,etc. in photos and recordings.
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Alan Eriksson says:

Realy great shot,
Amazing moment
Congratulations
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

Alexander Hoogle says:

Wow
Posted 3 months ago. ( permalink )

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Taken with a Canon EOS 5D.
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Taken on August 27, 2006
Viewed 13,655 times
Replaced on June 28, 2007

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Last Thoughts

Comments

Todd Huffman says:

Todd Huffman says:

NutsyFagan says:

jurvetson says:

!MimosaMicheMichelle! says:

jurvetson says:

!MimosaMicheMichelle! says:

jurvetson says:

!MimosaMicheMichelle! says:

!MimosaMicheMichelle! says:

nels1 says:

TheAlieness GiselaGiardino²³ says:

The Rocketeer says:

padu_merloti says:

jurvetson says:

Josh Thompson says:

Abizeleth says:

Gypsy Flores Photography says:

jurvetson says:

Little Lisa's ( Really busy ) says:

jybikerboy says:

melcir.meri says:

Franc Le Blanc says:

hhsc/Greg says:

hhsc/Greg says:

ShawnXian (Busy trying to Heal) says:

twohalfnotes [deleted] says:

Donna62 says:

DanBrady says:

Alvaro Herreras says:

doubleagent says:

restlessthought says:

overthemoon says:

usr.c says:

ComputerHotline says:

nels1 says:

jurvetson says:

nels1 says:

Archangel27 says:

marvin4pet says:

--------Sunshine-------- [deleted] says:

avlxyz says:

TroyWorks says:

Oleksandr Bondar says:

marthinotf says:

RoundboyzPhotography says:

shanda.w says:

SmilingSunflower says:

frogofpeace says:

amataiclaudius says:

nels1 says:

STI Performance says:

sallylondon says:

PhOtOnQuAnTiQuE says:

aeroculus says:

jurvetson says:

JuttaMK says:

Tomi Tapio says:

Raffy Carvalheira says:

jurvetson says:

oldcola_ says:

dbootsthediva says:

Alan Eriksson says:

Alexander Hoogle says:

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