Even though this may not be a “pretty” shot it’s photos like this that stir my soul because all of its elements are natural and the prey gives us a glimpse of the rawness of nature (and apologies for the premature email for this post last night).
There’s more negative fallout caused by baiting raptors than many are aware of and some of it affects our fellow photographers who don’t bait and never have. I’ve been stewing about this for a while now so I finally had to get it off my chest.
Kestrels are highly efficient and skillful at “de-hiding” their small mammal prey (and no, I don’t think this image is gory).
Including an American Goldfinch, a Red-winged Blackbird and a Prairie Falcon in flight.
Sometimes good things come to those who wait. And if you’re lucky it might even be a handsome little falcon.
Decent harrier photos are hard for me to come by this time of year so yesterday at Farmington Bay WMA I was pleasantly surprised when this one flew in fairly close.
The golds of fall come in many tones and shapes, just like the birds I often find surrounded by them.
If my bird photography success rate was as low as the accuracy rate of weather forecasters I think I’d sell my camera gear and hang it up…
You just never know what might happen when you have your lens trained on a hunting harrier (hint – few raptors can jink like a harrier can jink…).
