Hen harrier

Just got back from a few days working on hen harriers in an area hosting no less than 5 pairs in a square mile or so. Really looking for shots of the male but didn't quite come off so 'made do' with female. Here she's flying into the nest with prey passed to her mid-air by male. There were 6 chicks in this nest and 5 in two others - plenty of food then!

Peter Cairns
www.northshots.com

Techs: 1dMII, 300mm, ISO400, hide, sore arse.

wow, great image! love it! get a padded seat!!

very nice image, you could do with a chair hide.

Great image, has it all, would love to see it big, 720 pixels doesn't do it justice.

Tim

What a great looking action shot Peter.
Love the tinges of colour from the heather complimenting the bird.

Major.

I particularly like the way the plane of the tail, the tilt of the head and the slope of the ground are parallel - a very worthy image Pete, and well worth a sore arse

A fine shot

Hi Peter,

Thanks for sharing an image of a bird I have never seen in the wild. I like everything about it, well worth getting arse ache for

Nice work

Regards

Rob

Nice one Peter. Last time I saw one was nearly arrested by an RSPB warden. I had only stopped in a layby for a wee.! He pointed the bird out and said I should not be loiterng with intent. I said i needed a pee.,
Ah well !!
great shot
Cheers
JohnR

What a beatiful picture! I like the flowers and the background and of course the bird is superb. I might be tempted to place her more toward the upper right of the frame if possible.

Very fine shot Peter I love the stare I cant see anything wrong with it well done



Ian

Nothing left to say,I agree with all the above,very well done...........

Stewart.....

John makes an interesting point about being approached by an over-zealous RSPB warden. Hen harriers are certainly persecuted in some areas and the RSPB has played a key role in highlighting this issue. This doesn't mean however that they own the birds, contrary to what they might think. Their communication skills with the 'outside world' - clearly demonstrated from John's experience - does nothing to bridge the divide with those intent on harming harriers. Subject to the law relating to relieving yourself in public places, you can pee wherever you like John!

Pete

I'd be a bit wary of peeing anywhere near one of these beasties John.

Their eyesight is pretty acute you know and a nice tender little morsel like... well.. enough said

Lovely photograph Peter

Barrie

I think everyone could call himself happy to catch such a shot.
Congratulations Peter
Bertl

Its an excellent shot Peter.........can only echo the above comments

Alan

One to be proud of-love the wing and tail feathers

Dave

A very nice head on photo, Peter. My only nit is the tilted ground - though natural it looks a bit weird.

How do you find birds like this reacting to the shutter sound ? I'm asking because I tried a similiar shot with Marsh Harriers, and they seemed pretty scared of the shutter.

Peter

That's a cracking flight shot.

Barry

Eastbourne / Kansas

Wonderful, that must have been a treat being close enough to nick these shots with a 300.
beautiful colours. I must admit, I like the way the angle of the hill matches the angle of the bird so it all looks good to me.
Eric

Wow, what an excellent shot and great pose. I also like the way the angle of the wings matches the angle of the hill

Cracker of an image

The sort of quality I'd expect and an image I'd love!!



Mark

Very very nice, i've only seen them as specks, your shot is fantastic, reminds me i have to get out on the hills again ;)

I have only ever managed distant enviro shots of these. This shot is really stunning. The mid wing-beat capture and setting are brilliant and the colours of the scene are very complimentary.