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windfalcon — Thesis - Golden Eagle
Published: 2009-05-27 23:49:15 +0000 UTC; Views: 10536; Favourites: 324; Downloads: 402
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Description
Now that my thesis is officially complete, I am going to put up my thesis paintings. For the next ten days, I will be posting the next in the series.I did 10 watercolor paintings focusing on a specific raptor based on its significance to human culture and history, along with a written component. This is the first of ten, which explores the golden eagle as used by Mongolian eagle hunters.
The roots of falconry are in central Asia, where these people first started hunting with raptors an estimated 6,000 years ago. Even today, they ride out on horseback, dressed in the traditional corsac fox hats, of which they get the pelts from the foxes their eagles catch.
Watercolor on cold-press Arches, about 10X12 inches
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Comments: 36
No, falconers train raptors (in this case, golden eagles) to hunt prey, and they will return to the glove. Falconry is a sport that has existed for thousands of years!
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Stunning painting!
So nice to see the roots of falconry portrayed like this.
The details on the bird are amazing, well done!
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Very majestic looking. I also like the other one on the guy's arm in the corner.
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prettyyyyyyyy! now that i know those butt feathers are leather straps that is
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Hahahah those would be some awesome butt feathers.
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I shall always love your watercolors... ^_^
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This video of hunters taking their Golden Eagles to hunt wolves out in Mongolia is a very impressive watch! [link] Not for those who are squeamish though, some of the encounters between the wolves, who fighting for their lives, are pretty intense.
I always knew golden eagles where big, I just never realized HOW big until I saw something compared to them. Truly amazing raptors! I think your image captures their majesty!
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Wow! Thanks for sharing the youtube link. One learns something new everyday. Wow, you're right... I didn't realize they were THAT big either.
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I love the story behind this one, and those clouds and feathers are so well-detailed. ^^
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This is just pne of the many reasons I love your paintings of birds. You pay attention to all of the details on the feathers. Falconry also began in England with the royality if I remember correctly. I can't wait to see your other Thesis watercolor paintings. 
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Oh man that's stunning! Strangely enough, I hadn't realized that they were used in Asia first. crazy!
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This must have taken longer than for ever to do!? o.O Awesome work! The detail on the background is just stunning. How long exactly?
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I agree - golden eagles are lovely birds.
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A lovely, elegant "pose" (can you call it a pose if the subject isn't stationary? 
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Golden Eagles are so beautiful. It'd be so amazing to hunt with a raptor - except they are so heavy!
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In order to carry the eagles, sometimes the hunters prop their arm up with something while riding. I would guess they are indeed heavy when holding them for a while.
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Yeah, I don't think it'd be very easy to hold them for long unless the birds just flew with them.
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It is a brave person who flies a Golden Eagle. That is a MASSIVE creature. Gorgeous picture, this.
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Spectacular! A really beautiful homage to one of the most impressive raptors. I love the composition and how you put the whole scene in perspective. The flying jesses are a really nice touch, too. Gorgeous job; I can't wait for the next nine!
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This is beautiful! I love how the clouds give contrast to the soft snow. Amazing details on the feathering.
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