Harrier meal (Caution)
by David Haynes
Nikon D4
1/4000
F/6.3
600mm + 1.4 TC
ISO 640
WB auto
Exposure Manual
Shot from truck window in nature preserve (bean bag)
Cropped only 39% (a rarity for me) :)
This harrier was the lucky recipient of a meal that had first been killed by a red tailed hawk and partially eaten only to have three harriers spook the RTH off the kill. One of the Harriers flew off with the prey and landed on a small island used by hunters during duck season. This poor coot was fought over by the three harriers only to have the RTH come back by and grab it again only to drop it about 50 yards away on the side of a dirt levee. This is where I captured the harrier come in and grab it and immediately take off again. This coot had been disemboweled and dropped a couple of times so it had dirt and sticks all over it.
Would certainly wish for a cleaner shot and not quite so gross but this is nature at its best. During winter this particular preserve in Southern California has lots and lots of raptors and the preferred food source is coots.
This harrier flew off with the coot and dropped it about 30 yards away where it started to eat it before two other harriers and another RTH came in for a bite as well. It was picked clean by no less than 4 different birds ( a little too far away to get clean shots) but it goes to show how one kill can feed several birds.
Hope you don't get too grossed out by this one. I almost didn't post it but my daughter said she thought it was cool. What do I know? :)
Anyway, let me know if you see something that's worth changing. Have a great weekend!
Comments
25 commentsTechs look excellent, sharp details..
Nicely composed, very well done!
Max
Couldn't be better..
Sandy
Sandy
May
Amazing image and narrative! Congrats on the Pick, and the experience of seeing this and capturing the action.