Angry Pintail

Gallery: AvianPosted January 24, 2013117 views10 comments

I spotted this Northern Pintail sitting in grass overlooking a slough at the local wildlife refuge. I thought how unusual a find he was posing alone while their were a hundred or more in a pond not far away. While composing the shot thru the viewfinder he suddenly jumped up and out of the frame. I looked up just in time to see a northern harrier that had made a very threatening low pass at him. The harrier returned for another look and the pintail was captured in the slough being very vocal about how upset he was with the threat.

Larger version available, thanks for stopping!

Canon 7D
Canon 600mm F/4.L IS USM
F 8.0 1/180 ISO 125
bean bag rest on auto window

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 24, 2013 at 4:35 PM

Excellent as posted. Very nice detail and good exposure. Nice natural colors and setting. Good pose as well.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Jerry Marella on January 24, 2013 at 4:39 PM

Really nice. The gold background and blue rings in the water add to the pose and posture of the bird.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 142 Posts, 862 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on January 24, 2013 at 4:43 PM

I HAVE TO TELL I LOVE YOUR AUTO, wish my does that beautiful job like yours does for you, excellent

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Tate on January 24, 2013 at 4:46 PM

Great pose and beautiful colors, nice shot!!

Registered on December 11, 2004, 150 Posts, 1667 Comments

Comment posted by John Neukirch on January 24, 2013 at 8:11 PM

A lovely duck shot. My first thought is this fellow has a lot of personality, looks quite happy. Beautiful feathers.

Registered on July 9, 2012, 207 Posts, 1476 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on January 24, 2013 at 9:55 PM

Way to go capturing this lone idividual, the open beak calling pose is very attention grabbing. The white neck doesn't have much detail, but it isn't "glaring" either. Some very nice colors and patterns in the water too...

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on January 24, 2013 at 11:52 PM

Nice pose and excellent detail. Good story too!

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on January 25, 2013 at 3:03 AM

Great pose.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 25, 2013 at 5:51 PM

Looks like he's laughing in the face of danger :) Great open mouth pose and nice colors. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 25, 2013 at 11:34 PM

Nice pose and detail, Craig. A good look at the eye-I've found it extremely difficult to get good eye contact with these.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments