Harriers Fighting
by Ron Dudley
This photo was taken yesterday morning through light fog and after a heavy frost. This looks as if it's a serious fight but I'm not completely convinced of that - they just seem to have too much fun doing it. It's not unusual for two or more of these birds to be hunting together (they often hunt singly of course) and then they will rush each other and have a short confrontation in the air and then resume hunting together as if nothing had happened.
The same thing often occurs when one harrier is perched on the ground and another happens by (as in this case). A furtive confrontation, then normalcy. I know it's anthropomorphic of me to think they might be doing it for fun but I can't help myself... I've seen it so very often and it's so different from when they are actually fighting directly over food. That I have also seen and believe me it's very different from this and very serious.
This is the first time I've seen this blue in the primaries (top bird). Perhaps a prismatic effect from the angle of the light and feathers?
7D, 1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 800, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window, cropped to 49% of original image but then added a narrow strip of canvas at top for composition, not baited
Comments/critique appreciated
Comments
21 commentsThe crop and the fog have hampered the quality a touch here, making the photo appear grainy but I'm sure when it's not scaled down that is a non-issue. The action is fantastic, you stopped it perfectly (gotta love that 7D!) and the exposure is spot on. Another incredible harrier shot - one of your finest, which certainly says a lot
- Luke
cheers
Rob
I like the interaction between the two birds you've captured. They look like they are very serious.
Ken Archer
Excellent work for shooting through the fog, the image does not appear grainy to me it just shows the effect of the fog we were in. Forty minutes earlier and we could not have even seen that distance!
Great action, wonderful to have both birds sharp at that distance given the weather conditions and light, ISO 800 sure pulled this off very well. Love the frosty setting, how well you were able to add the canvas, choice of comp and both birds poses are excellent.
A very interesting & appealing image as posted.
I have never seen that blue look and your explanation is plausible. Interesting though.
I completely agree on the having fun part and do not find it anthropomorphic.
Peter