Way back in February of 2008 I photographed an extended encounter between multiple Northern Harriers fighting viciously over a dead Mallard on the ice at Farmington Bay WMA. It had been an extremely harsh winter and the harriers were struggling to survive so they were unusually combative over every last scrap of available food.
1/800, f/13, ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 II Extender
Here one of the harriers is aggressively approaching other birds on the carcass (screaming all the way) just out of frame at lower right. The duck feathers on the ice, some of them bloody, help to tell the story.
1/640, f/13, ISO 500, Canon 40D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 II Extender
This was the scene at the carcass it was approaching. There were often several harriers fighting over the Mallard with others on the ice nearby or flying closely around them. The harrier in the first image apparently chickened out and veered off at the last second and I can understand why. I’ve occasionally seen harriers fighting over food over the years but these battles were like nothing I’d witnessed before or since. I’ve posted other images of the fights in the past but I believe these two are new to my blog.
I’m sure photographers will notice obvious mistakes in my settings. Almost nine years ago I was still a neophyte bird photographer and I had no business being at f/13 (or even ISO 500 for that matter), especially in these partially overcast conditions. In my naiveté I chose f/13 to give me enough depth of field to get multiple birds sharp but that gave me ridiculously slow shutter speeds for this kind of fast action so sharpness is an obvious issue with one of the birds in the last shot.
This was one of my early experiences that taught me to err on the side of too much shutter speed rather than too little – higher ISO’s and slightly increased noise be damned.
Ron
Late Addendum on 5-27-17 @ 5:45 PM: Today I learned that there’s a strong possibility that these harriers were baited. The Mallard may have been moved to a “better” place on the ice for photography by another photographer who is well known for baiting raptors and he was there while I was photographing these harriers so it’s very possible (I’ve personally seen him baiting raptors several times and he was on the scene before I was). Later that same photographer actually pulled an unethical and blatantly dishonest stunt with one of his images of these birds that was taken during this same session so this kind of behavior is typical of his modus operandi.
So, I’ve removed my usual “not baited, set up or called in” line from my image techs under each photo.
I think I never told you this before but I return to your posts several times during the day. The first time is around 1PM when I have my lunch break, the second generally when I get back home after work (7PM) and another before I go to bed (11PM).
Doing so I can see all the comments people do to your posts.
Since there is a difference in time (more or less 6 hours) between us I skipped your “Late Addendum”. I only saw it today when I opened my computer.(10 AM)
And even being late for the party I want to say that I never met someone like you. You and your ethics are not from this world.
Your concern advising us about the possibility of those raptors were baited shows very well who you are.
Thank you very much for the great example you give every day to all of us.
Thank you for taking the time to say that, Jorge.
Is it possible to name this unethical photographer so everyone knows not to buy photographs from this person, and perhaps they can be shamed!?
Sorry, Nicole – but no. I’d like to but doing so is a potential can of worms that I’d prefer to avoid opening.
Love these pictures!! Love these birds!!!!
Good! Thanks, Marina.
Their struggles put ours into a very different perspective don’t they?
What an incrediblr series. And what a difficult life.
Survival (possibly) for the fittest, the fastest, and sometimes the sneakiest.
I hope your poor mouth is feeling better today.
Yup, they do what they have to do to survive, EC. Thank you.
Definitely spectacular photos. I don’t know anything about manual camera settings, and my eyes can’t see any issues. I like being able to just enjoy the photos. 🙂
Thanks, Susan. The biggest issue with that last shot is the softness (motion blur) of the striking foot of the bird on the right. Faster shutter speed would have prevented that.
I hope all three of those beautiful birds survived …Mother Nature is one mean momma, especially in the winter…..i hope you’re feeling better today…..
I hope they survived too, Patty – but I have my doubts. It was a cold, cruel winter for birds.
Neophyte or not, these are some pretty spectacular shots! I’m constantly amazed by the wingspans of raptors.
“I’m constantly amazed by the wingspans of raptors”
Me too, Marty. I clipped both wings on a Swainson’s just this morning because I underestimated their length in the vertical position.
Even my completely untrained eye can see the difference nine years (!) of practice has made, but these are still wonderful action shots. Thanks for sharing them!
I hope you’re starting to feel better – tooth problems bring a special kind of misery.
Thanks, Robyn. I sure HOPE 9 years of experience made me a little better at this! 🙂
That would be something to capture! Nice work even if your DOF was off. Saw (or recognized) my first “Gray Ghost” about a week ago. Of course, no camera in hand or close by! 🙁 It was cruising an alfalfa field near by. The first time I saw it I almost thought it was a “damn gull”(Killdeer are nesting), but quickly realized that WASN’T what it was 🙂 Saw it again a few days later when I knew what it was. Neat bird………… Better day today I hope?
Judy, the adult males certainly are memorable, aren’t they?
WOW – with all that movement that had to be going on I’d say those are damn good shots for a neophyte!! Did you see any Gray Ghosts, males at that spot?
I’m assuming there were 3 Harriers, (two on the Mallard and one flying to it? Also, the two together, the one on the right is it an immature? Who won? Or did it end in a draw?
Finally after almost a week of cloudy rainy cold weather we will see some sun for the weekend! Have a great Memorial weekend!
Dick – yes, there were a few males there but they never actually joined in the combat that I saw – presumably because they’re smaller.
And yes, the 3 birds in this post are different individuals. I don’t know who won this particular fight – it was too long ago.