Saturday, February 19, 2011

put cameras on a peregrine falcon and goshawk. prepare to be amazed


These are two of the fastest maneuvering birds in the world. Rarely do we get to see them in action, at least to this extent. But, some have decided to take it a step further by attaching cameras on the back of these magnificent creatures. And what was captured on camera for the first time ever, was proof once again, that nature in it's glory is a sight to behold.








With maneuvers that would make the Blue Angles envious, these animals fly through the air with grace and confidence.


Speeds of nearly 200mph, dives and turns that produce 10Gs+, maneuvering through dense forests at high speed only inches from the ground, and only a fraction of a second from impact.


Sound like a Hollywood chase scene? Although, it has become the inspiration for many scenes in Hollywood, unlike Hollywood, this is real. These are the abilities of two of the fastest maneuvering birds in the world, and two of the most fierce birds of prey: the Peregrine Falcon and the Goshawk.


The fastest one has ever been clocked is 242 MPH. During flight, the change in direction from a 150 mph dive, then to a sudden lift, would make a human lose consciousness, and that's only at it's playful speed of 150 mph!


They can dive at unfathomable speeds, and suddenly lift only inches from the ground. Witnessing it in person, you would describe these amazing dives as a bullet. Like an aircraft designer's dream, once their wings tuck, they become an aeronautical phenomenon.


The split-second maneuvering of the Goshawk during flight is reminiscent of the Speeders in Star Wars. However, maneuvering through the dense forests as these birds do, is something that no computer or human invention has been able to duplicate fully. Their precision and accuracy is flawless.


The split-second turns. The speed. It almost makes you dizzy to watch, even in slow motion. How do they do it?


To watch them in flight puts me at a loss for words to be able to fully describe what I am seeing. Other than a physicist, there is no way to emphasize or grasp what's involved, or how it is possible. You just have to watch for yourself to be able to appreciate it. And even then, you are still left to wonder.


the best movies transformations


Christian Bale lost about 70lbs in 3 months for the Machinist




Charlie Sheen built muscles for Hot Shots! Part Deux



Russell Crowe gained 63lbs for Body of Lies





Jake Gyllenhaal gained 25lbs of muscle for Jarhead





Ben Stiller build some muscles for Tropic Thunder





George Clooney gained 30lbs of fat for Syriana





Christian Bale packed on quite a bit of muscle of Batman Begins





Linda Hamilton toned up really well for Terminator 2





Hilary Swank put on a lot of muscle of Million Dollar Baby





Mr. Stallone put on about 40 lbs of fat for Copland





Tom Hanks lost about 50lbs for his movie Cast Away





Renee Zellweger gained a lot of weight for both Bridget Jones movies





Demi Moore gained muscle for G.I.Jane doing one arm pushups





Jessica Biel gained some really defined muscles for Blade Trinity





Matt Damon lost 40lbs for Courage Under Fire





Gerard Butler gained muscle for 300





Ed Norton (yeah the skinny dude) gained muscles for America History X





Charlize Theron became ugly and gained a lot of weight for Monster





Eric Bana Ballooned up for his role in Chopper





Ryan Renolds packed on some serious muscle for the Blade movies