Blindsided by one of your own.
I’m reaching way, way back for this one. The photo was taken at Farmington Bay WMA in February of 2008.
1/1000. f/10, ISO 400, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 II Extender, possibly baited
On that morning several Northern Harriers and been feeding on and fighting over this dead Mallard frozen into the ice. The bird on the right had been feeding so intently it didn’t see the second bird coming until the very last split-second. The result was predictable – another fight on the ice over the duck.
I took many photos of the harriers fighting but here I was attempting to capture one on the ice while another was still flying in to challenge it for the duck which I knew would present a major depth of field problem. In that situation getting both birds sharp is hugely difficult so I began to shoot at f/10 to increase my DOF. That of course slowed my shutter speed significantly.
So I was gambling. Miraculously I split the difference just right and had barely enough SS and DOF to get both birds sharp. But wouldn’t you know it, I clipped a wing.
There’s a reason I waited almost 13 years to post this photo. A year or two after I took it I heard a rumor that early that morning before anyone else arrived at the refuge another photographer may have placed the Mallard in a spot on the ice conducive to photography. In other words the harriers may (or may not) have been baited. I’ll probably never know for sure but that morning another photographer with a reputation for such unethical hijinks was already on the refuge so it’s possible.
But I’ve always wanted to post this photo (despite the clipped wing) so I decided to disclose everything I know about it and let the chips fall where they may.
Ron
PS – this situation occurred very early in my photography career and it taught me an important lesson. Photographers who choose to use unethical methods not only put their own reputation in jeopardy and potentially risk doing harm to their subjects – their slimy techniques may also negatively affect other photographers.
I have run into a few photographers who the shot means everything. Thank you for educating me before hand or I would not have recognized the signs.
Thank you. For the shot and for the back story.
Given the lengths and the preplanning (going out the night before with the dead mallard to arrange) involved I wonder just how good the other photographer could have become if he was prepared to devote the same energies to working on his photography. Sadly we will never know. Just the same those sort of cheats rob everyone – including themselves.
Thanks, EC. If he did bait the harriers I don’t think he did it the night before. He most likely did it very early that morning.
Nice action shot. And good reminder how our own ethics can be compromised by a single idiot.
Arwen, that guy truly was an idiot – a bad-natured one at that.
I’ve always admired the quick, powerful wing strokes that enable Harriers to so easily hover just above the ground. That outstretched right wing really puts the power on display. I also love the detail of the stripes on the wing and tail. Beautiful photo, which I’m happy that you posted long with the story of the circumstances.
Thanks very much, Bill.
Such an amazing shot! I was so focused on the action that I didn’t even notice the clipped primaries.
Here’s hoping that both birds made it out of the fracas more-or-less unscathed. And that someone pooped on the car (or the lens!) of Mr. Baiter.
As always, I appreciate your ethics and honesty.
Marty, I think both birds were fine. I saw many fights that morning and never noticed a single bird being injured (other than a few minor puncture wounds in the chest).
A great picture is one thing but how you got iris another 🙂
….is…. darn spellcheck 😆
Spellcheck can be a pain can’t it, Diana.
It certainly attests to your ethics that you provided the (possible) circumstances involved in this situation as well as the implications regarding the reputations of other unsuspecting photographers.
Having said that, the photo has a painterly quality to it. Strikes me as artwork one might see in Nat Geo magazine.
Thanks, Lyle. I’m glad you like it.
Baited or not that second Harrier didn’t care, it just wanted that Mallard and was going to do what it had to do to discourage the occupant!
Great shot clipped wing or not!
Plus, if the Mallard was frozen to the ice, why would you think that someone put it there? Doesn’t it take a while for a dead duck to freeze to the ice? I really don’t know, just wondering.
Dick, I ‘think’ it could have happened for a variety of complicated reasons, including the reputation for baiting the photographer I mentioned had. Other photographers have the same suspicion.
And no, when it’s that cold it doesn’t take long at all for a dead duck to freeze to the ice.
Good photos and story Ron. Our long time female who patrols our Willow Lake just recently returned and has been very active. The best photos I have ever gotten of her was a year ago when she took over a Mallard from a Prairie Falcon who had killed it. She was so busy with the mallard and trying to drag it to a more secure location that she allowed me to be very close while taking a hundred photos or so. There was no way she was going to allow my presence to make her leave that duck.
And yes, I would rather go through life without ever getting a really good Harrier shot than put a frozen Mallard out there to attract her.
Thanks, Everett. Yes, when raptors are on prey they often allow a closer approach than usual.
Wonderful capture, Ron, even with the clipped wing. 😀 Sad to have the whole session sullied by the potential for the scene having been baited with the Mallard. GRRRRR! Squabbles over food between raptors certainly can be vicious!
Thank you, Judy.
Are those feathers all over?
Yes, Bradley – Mallard feathers. If you and I ever meet remind me to tell you a story about those feathers…
Do we have to meet in person in order to hear the story? 😉
I’m afraid so, Marty. It’s a long and complicated story and besides I prefer to not lay it all out in a public forum. And to tell the story best would require visual aids.
I’ll add the story to all the things I’d like to do when visiting SLC. 🙂