So, it came as a bit of a shock to me when I realised that I had not posted some pictures of Marsh Harriers that took on my recent trips back to the UK. I think I may have been over excited by the whole trip!
When I was a kid I would look at bird books - probably the Observers Book of Birds - and wonder what the chances of ever seeing birds like Harriers were like. And in all truthfulness I considered the chances very low.
So, to this day I still get a huge kick out of seeing these birds, that at one time I considered to be essentially mythical! In most cases I have seen these birds on RSPB reserves - what wonderful places!
This is a rather distant shot of a Marsh Harrier with a small bird in its claws - as far as I can tell its a Moorhen chick. This shot was taken at Leighton Moss, in Lancashire, which, for a number of years was my local reserve.
These three shots were taken at a reserve I had never heard of until I went back to the UK earlier this year. Its called Blacktoft Sands, and it's near Goole. This bird did not like coming near the hides, and when it finally did I was not really ready, so the picture are not as sharp as they could be - but I still like them.
I think seeing any large predator in the wild is a real treat - and these birds were no exception.
Now it's over to you - click on the blue button and off you go into the wonderful land that is Wild Bird Wednesday - could I just remind you bloggers to add a link to a specific post, rather than just your general blog address as this makes my (rather busy) life a little easier! SM
Hello Stewart, cool sighting and images of the Marsh Harrier. It is a treat to see them! Thanks for hosting, have a great week ahead!
ReplyDeleteIt's always a treat to see raptors...particularly in flight. Such grace and power! Thanks for sharing your terrific photos of these birds!
ReplyDeleteBirds of prey have such an aura of power about them. So cool
ReplyDeleteThey're beautiful!!!! I'm glad you remembered to share them today. Love the wing color patterns, don't you?
ReplyDeleteGreat flight shots, Stewart! Handsome raptor!
ReplyDeleteWonderful to see those birds of prey. Thanks for hosting.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like you've always been a birder at heart. Great shots as always.
ReplyDeleteI do love the "in flight" shots!! Terrific captures as always, Stewart! Hope your week is going well!!
ReplyDeleteI´m happy you got some shots. It is a gorgeous bird :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting :)
I love birds of prey, coming from South Africa I was somewhat spoilt. I have always said though if I have to come back to this world, I want to come back as a Peregrine falcon, away from any human elements! Diane
ReplyDeleteHello Stewart!:) It's so exciting to photograph an elusive bird or one we never think we could ever have the good fortune to see let alone photograph.I'm pleased you got these great in flight shots.Such beautiful raptors.
ReplyDeletebeautiful raptor!
ReplyDeleteFabulous shots of these Harriers. Love that you were able to get these!
ReplyDeleteWow, Beautiful bird and great photos!
ReplyDeleteGreat shots of the harriers in flight!
ReplyDeleteI always get a kick out of seeing and photographing birds of prey. You have some great shots here, Stewart!
ReplyDeleteWow, its a streamlined bird. Love the shot with the little bird in its claws.
ReplyDeleteThere's nothing like a bird in fight against the great blue sky.
ReplyDeletehij is opzich al geweldig mooi en zeker in deze pooses
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely brilliant shots of the Marsh Harrier in flight, Stewart. Thanks for hosting this meme. Greetings Jo (South Africa)
ReplyDeleteStewart, wonderful action photos. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteSo gorgeous!
ReplyDeleteNice photos of the harrier. Only two weeks ago before I returned to Florida from Illinois I saw a male Northern Harrier, the so-called "Gray Ghost." I guess the Marsh Harrier also has distinct plumages for males and females.
ReplyDeleteOur Harrier is called a Northern Harrier and is possibly slightly different in color and has a conspicuous white rump spot that is used to identify him. They are awesome birds and different than other hawks because they have facial disks much like the owl which allows them to use their hearing as a primary tool in their hunt. These are awesome pictures, Stewart and like you, I have been in awe of the raptor since I was a child. Had to be "old" and retired though before I had time to get involved with them ... it is one of my favorite things to do. We had a male Harrier at the rehab center named Harry ... he was quite the character and gorgeous ...
ReplyDeleteAndrea @ From The Sol
Wonderful action shots Stewart..The best I could ever do was Hawks sitting in trees..They aren't in the sky long enough around here to catch..Sounds like a good excuse to me anyway..
ReplyDeleteFabulous Fingers! Capturing birds in flight is something I'm really rubbish at, so I admire your shots immensely!! Just wait 'til you see the Red-tailed Tropicbirds on Lord Howe Island!!
ReplyDeleteWhat beautiful image shares of the Harrier and my it must be large to take a Moorhen, yes? I love flight shots and you did a marvelous job of getting some great ones~
ReplyDeleteYour images of the Harrier look very good to me! I, too, thought the chances of getting photos of any bird of prey were pretty close to nil, so when we finally were able to go to Boundary Bay (quite some time ago), it was like a dream come true to see and photograph the various hawks, owls, and eagles. We stay closer to home now and such opportunities are few and far between, but I still love to go back and look at old photos.
ReplyDeleteGreat images!
ReplyDeleteI do so agree with you on seeing birds of prey n the wild ... Especially WTH the prey in their possession... All sch great photos. At this point I'd settle for a bird, any bird. Dang it, this moving and shopping stuff takes an awful long time for an old lady . (Definitely feeling my age today! )
ReplyDeleteNice pics Stewart. Its funny you mention hides because when I've watched Marsh Harriers they have clear aversion to hides. I still haven't got a good picture of Marsh Harrier even though I live 40 minutes from Leighton.
ReplyDeleteI don't go there much at all - noisy hides!
Nice pics Stewart. Its funny you mention hides because when I've watched Marsh Harriers they have clear aversion to hides. I still haven't got a good picture of Marsh Harrier even though I live 40 minutes from Leighton.
ReplyDeleteI don't go there much at all - noisy hides!
Great flight shots - always the most difficult. I was just reading a comment you left on Phil Slade's latest post. Sounds like you're nostalgic, or maybe even a tad homesick, for the UK.
ReplyDelete