Posted by David La Puma on August 02, 2002 at 11:35:29:
In Reply to: Re: How say you? posted by John Boyd on August 02, 2002 at 08:41:24:
YAY JOHN!
What a fantastic field mark review! I've looked at it again this morning and I still don't know. I hear you on the white in the wings...There's a funny look to the white mark between the shoulders that I just can't shake..it looks like a bill (eagle's being pale/yellow), in which case it would seem that the bird had its head craned down in front of it (you know how they do with their long neck!)...if that's the case than to me it has the jizz of an eagle...but again, I'm confused by the white (or light transmission!) in the wings. Check p.236 of Hawks In Flight (Dunne, Sibley and Sutton), bottom right picture. Ignore the width of the wing, but look at the color pattern. Then check the bird on the opposite page, 237, does it look like there's white in the flight feathers (even if it's an illusion)?
I'm pushing this thread just because I really like the analytical nature- even if we never come to an agreement. I can't wait for HawkWatch 2002 to begin! (and for me to get schooled by John, Gerard, Casey and Stijn!)