about one minute into my journey I noticed this humungus bird in a tree.
My heart almost jumped out of my skin and then realised that my camera was at home. ABS braking is in future essential on all cars now especially when you are driving when you realise you camera is not in the car!!
A very quick U-turn and I grabbed my camera to return to a Spotted Harrier (believe me I have done some research on this bird to-day) perched in a dead tree. These are the best of the hurried photographs..
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Wow an amazing bird. Great photos. I've seen one of them before but never perched, must have been cool.
You are right it was amazing..Big birds of prey are very special.
It had something in its left claw which kept it busy until I arrived with my camera.. It wasn't happy having me point the camera at it and took off pretty much straight away.. The head and beak is almost Owl like and the tail feathers are very distinct.
Samford Valley Qld.
Great work there, both with your driving skills
and with the camera. You must have only a second to spare before it was off. Thank you for sharing.
Wow, how close were you to the bird? Incredibly sharp photos. Stunning!
M-L
Thanks Araminta. I'd say about 9m away from the bird and I used a tripod. I'm just not getting clear shots when I try hand held (300mm with a1.4 teleconverter), especially when they are overhead shots. A little bit more time would have been good but it wasn't comfortable having its photograph taken and took to a nearby tree to finish off its breakfast.
Samford Valley Qld.
Very impressive raptor, great photos reflex. Top marks for dedication in going back to get your camera gear - you really deserved to get a few shots in before he flew off.
Thanks WD. Check out the eye lashes. My Harrier might have been a female which explains the fact she didn't want her photograph taken so early in the morning.
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Samford Valley Qld.
My goodness, what a treat to have on the way to work Reflex! I can only imagine if it were me, I would have done the same thing and to heck with the wrath of the late fairy at work
Bet you were glad to see him still there on your return. Lovely shots - fantastically indignant look you have captured too.
West Coast Tasmania
Couldn't believe my luck when I put the rubbish out this morning. It was back!
This is the view that I saw..
Samford Valley Qld.
Great photos again reflex. That last one is amazing showing all those beautifully patterned feathers. Certainly is an impressive raptor you have got there.
(Im worried this harrier might cause you to lose your driving licence and or your job !)
Well done Reflex!!! I see these regularly in my local area but I never manage to get this close to it, as they are always flying . They are so beautiful to watch aren't they? Those last 2-3 shots are just wonderful
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Oh wow again! It must be a favourite perch of his/hers Reflex. I'm very impressed you managed to sneak up for some more wonderful shots, I tend to either pass the bigger birds where I can't pull off the road at all, or I scare them off
I must agree with WD, these are all just fabulous, but that last shot is extra eye catching with all those feather patterns.
West Coast Tasmania
Wonderful bird, wonderful background, Reflex.
I agree Woko. Well said.
Samford Valley Qld.