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Circus cyaneus, hen harrier
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Circus cyaneus, hen harrier
Plate 356 from John James Audubons Birds of America, original double elephant folio (1835-38), hand-coloured aquatint. Engraved, printed and coloured by R. Havell (& Son), London
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Media ID 8579265
© Mary Evans Picture Library 2015 - https://copyrighthub.org/s0/hub1/creation/maryevans/MaryEvansPictureID/10704821
Accipitridae Accipitriformes Aquatint Audubon Bird Of Prey Birds Of America Blood Chicken Circus Eating Fowl Galliformes Gallus Gallus Domesticus Gallus Gallus Domesticus Harrier Circus Cyaneus Hen Harrier
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This stunning and intricately detailed print depicts the Hen Harrier, Circus cyaneus, from John James Audubon's renowned work, "Birds of America." The Hen Harrier is a bird of prey native to Europe, Asia, and North America, and is identified by its distinctive grey and rust-colored plumage. In this image, the harrier is perched on a branch, its sharp eyes focused intently on the ground below. With its wings spread wide, it appears poised for flight, ready to pounce on its next prey. The Hen Harrier is a member of the Accipitridae family, which also includes hawks, eagles, and kites. It is a versatile hunter, feeding on a variety of prey, including rodents, birds, and reptiles. In this print, the harrier is shown in the act of hunting, with a dead chicken, Gallus gallus domesticus, clutched in its talons. The blood on the chicken and the surrounding foliage serve as a reminder of the harrier's predatory nature. The print was created using the aquatint technique, a complex and labor-intensive process that involved etching the plate with a fine needle, covering it with a rosin solution, and then heating it to create a textured surface. The plate was then inked and wiped, allowing the ink to pool in the textured areas and creating a rich, tonal effect. The print was then hand-colored, adding vibrant hues to the feathers and other details, making this a truly one-of-a-kind work of art. This print is Plate 356 from Audubon's "Birds of America," which was published in double elephant folio size between 1835 and 1838. The plates were engraved, printed, and hand-colored by R. Havell (& Son) in London. This print is a testament to the extraordinary craftsmanship and dedication of Audubon and his team, capturing the beauty and majesty of the natural world in exquisite detail.
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