In a recent post I documented “play” in Northern Harriers. Two days ago I photographed two of them playing – with each other and with “toys”.
Note: These birds were far away from me so these images have been heavily cropped and the detail is not good.
These two harriers seemed to be having a blast with each other as they skirmished playfully in the updrafts at the top of a hill on Antelope Island.
Their aerial maneuvers were fun to watch and though their postures may occasionally appear aggressive I had the very strong sense that this was not a dispute. They appeared to be simply having fun. Even though some of these images have only blue sky as background both birds were relatively close to the ground for the entire 5 minutes I spent photographing them.
Occasionally they would fly down the side of the hill only inches from the ground (this image is an unusually heavy crop, even for this post…)
But usually their maneuvers occurred…
close to the rabbitbrush on the top of the hill.
About two minutes into my session with them the flavor of their play behavior took a turn as one of the harriers picked up what I believe to be a buffalo chip (dried bison poop).
When the other bird approached the chip was dropped (deliberately, I believe).
And as it fell…
both harriers plummeted down after it.
Almost immediately one of them retrieved the chip…
and eventually dropped it once again.
Then both birds took a spin down the hill before…
one of them returned to the top of the hill and picked up another chip…
which was dropped as soon as the other bird approached.
A few moments later yet another chip was picked up and played with in the air (this time it’s smaller and more difficult to see – the bird on the left has it). Some of the dynamics between these two harriers were really interesting to speculate about. For example, there were times when the bird carrying the chip was chasing the other one rather than vice versa.
I really wish I’d been closer to the action while I was photographing these harriers but I keep reminding myself that if I had it would have been much more difficult to keep both birds in the frame and get them each sharp. Even though the image quality is not good I reveled in watching this delightful behavior through my lens.
Ron
Note: There may be some disagreement regarding my use of the terms “play” and “toy” in describing these behaviors. But researchers have long noted behaviors that they label as play in a variety of bird species (including Northern Harriers) and to my mind if they’re playing with an inanimate object it seems reasonable to describe that object as a toy. If you believe otherwise please excuse my anthropomorphism..
Sorry, but I ran out of time for image techs. Most of these shots were taken at or close to: 1/4000, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc
What fun. Love all the behaviors you document and share.
To me, these photos are fantastic. I love everything about them. I almost feel like I was there watching them play. I watch many raptor cams and my favorite part is when they find an object, usually a feather, and they start to play with it and another joins in. I often say that during off season when they are checking the nests and cleaning out boxes, they should leave a ball or two for them to play with. Cats and dogs play with toys and my bird plays with toys. I bet they would have so much fun with them. I was watching an Osprey nest once and the male found a used tube of tooth paste and a small teddy bear and brought them to the nest. It was fun watching him try to figure out what to do with them. Thanks Ron.
I really enjoyed this series! And really, you should not have to apologize for quality when the content is so awesome! What a great peek into the harrier’s “play world.” Thank you.
How sensational are these action shots! Maybe they’re also getting a bit of prey practice. :-)) Thanks for sharing!
Charlotte
Play is practice..and fun…to partake in and to watch…
This almost seemed like a male and female (as juvies their plumage resemble adult females except for the cinnamon breast) practicing the mid-air food exchange that breeding adults do … but they weren’t really in that position and one wasn’t upside down, at least in this series. Great great shots, Ron – and I can attest that raptors DO play – our captive birds love their stuffed animals (we often use them as a jackpot after a training session, rather than a big food reward), but will also pounce on and fly/walk around with rocks, leaves, sticks. Seems to me that predators play at catching/killing/ripping things, often inanimate objects, while prey species play at getting away – if you’ve ever seen a domestic rabbit out of a cage run and jump, changing directions in mid-air. Fascinating stuff. Thanks!
So glad to have discovered your blog earlier this week (thru a link from a link in a Twitter post, I think) — your photos are just stunning! All birds are interesting to watch, but I find raptors especially involving, no matter what they’re doing. I can easily “waste” a half-hour just watching a Red-tail hang in the sky near my house…so being able to see Harriers in action is a real treat, albeit a vicarious one. No need to apologize for the “quality” of your images, I’m sure I’m not the only one who is grateful that someone with your birding & photographic skills is making the effort to share them with the rest of us!
I can see why the Harrier is a favourite of yours! Gorgeous plumage, fun to watch.. amazing subjects to shoot!
What a great series, Ron. Thanks.
Ron—-I LOVED this very dynamic post ; congratulations on the “capture” ! No “anthropomorphism” in my book -cats, dogs,and many other animals exhibit play with “toys”–surely birds can, too . Kris
Thanks, Kris.
Hi Ron,
Great images of one of my favorite species! Since these birds appear to be youngsters, we could REALLY anthropomorphize
and imagine what their mother might say if she caught them playing with buffalo poop. Lots of different punch lines run through my mind…
Loved the sequence. Thanks!
Cheers,
Dick
Yes, I think they’re both juveniles, Dick. And I agree – potential punch lines galore! Sometimes I wish my blog weren’t family oriented 🙂
Wow! This is an incredible sequence! Thanks for posting…I enjoy your pictures every morning!
Thank you, Teri.
Honing their skills without damage to each other! All play between animals peaks their skills and ability to survive! Wonderful shots.
Great Vanity plate!
“All play between animals peaks their skills and ability to survive.”
I suspect that might be how/why play originated with humans too, Dick. Glad you like the plate – it’s the first one I’ve ever had but I succumbed to the temptation when I saw that it was available. I don’t think most folks who see it on the road understand its reference. I’ve been asked before if I was a Harrier (jump-jet) pilot (retired, of course…)
I know, I can relate for my plate reads GYR 00 and I get all kinds of queries about what it means! All it represents is that I saw my first life Gyrfalcon in 2000 up and personal, a terrific experience.
One of my friends has collected photos of birding vanity plates for years – he has hundreds of them, including mine. Some of them are obvious, others pretty subtle and/or obscure but they all relate to birds or birding. I think it’s a great collection, link below.
http://richditch.com/page88/page88.html
Such a joy to see!! Thank you for sharing with us!
Thank you, Leisa.
Hi! I love the photo’s! I hope you make a video of all their playing/ You do a great job catching them in play! love it!
Have a great day!
Thanks, Humming Bird Lover. This would have been great on video but I’m always afraid I’ll miss important photos if I try video so I don’t…
How delightful! I’m so glad you captured the excitement of the play in sequence – so energizing! You tracked the trackers, harrier… 🙂
“You tracked the trackers…”
They weren’t easy to track, Alison – even at this distance. Thank you.
What an amazing series of images, Ron … I feel my spirit lifting as if i were flying right along with them!!!! Thanks … much needed on this dreary day here on the East Coast!!
” I feel my spirit lifting as if i were flying right along with them!!!!”
Then you can imagine how my spirit was lifted while I was watching this, Lois.
Fantastic fligh photos Ron! I love harriers and their many maneuvers.
Thanks
I love’m too, Mark – thus my vanity license plate that you see at the top of this page…