Sort of a David versus Goliath scenario.
Note: I rambled shamelessly in yesterday’s post so today’s edition of Feathered Photography will be mercifully shorter.
1/2000, f/8, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
This may be the only time I’ve documented a Northern Harrier harassing a Ferruginous Hawk on the ground. The Ferrug was minding its own business when the harrier took exception to the presence of the much larger predator in its hunting territory and buzzed it repeatedly, coming to within only a couple of feet of the much larger hawk. In this shot I captured the Ferrug in an interesting defensive posture.
There’s a dramatic size difference between the 3 1/2 lb. Ferrug and the 15 oz. harrier. I couldn’t help but be impressed that the cheeky harrier had the nerve to take on a potentially ferocious rival that was almost 4 times larger by weight than itself.
But that’s an old story in the raptor world. Smaller generally means faster and more agile and the harrier knew it.
Ron
Notes:
- These hawks were far away and sidelit so image quality suffered but I’ve always believed that documentary quality photos can be worth looking at when they show interesting behaviors.
- This photo was taken in Montana’s remote Centennial Valley in July of 2016.
Thanks Ron for all your awesome photos and good words. With all that’s going on today, your imagery offers a great escape. Keep up the good work.
Thanks and Peace.
Ah, what a balm your photos are each day…they always were. They truly are now, when we all need a bit of beauty and calm infused into our days.
Thank you, Ron…this photo is so powerful and lovely. That brave little Harrier, taking on a Feruggie….woh!
Be well…..
Thank you, Karen.
All your much earlier readers have pretty well said it all, except—in reference to Kathy’s & Alison’s comments — I will add, it is (pardon the expression) a “kick-ass” shot! 😉
And now I must go back and read yesterday’s shameless ramblings. They’re the best!
“Kick-ass” works for me, Chris.
Better have a cuppa coffee (or something) while you do it. It’s gonna take a while to wade through it.
LOL. See my comment! But I did have that cuppa joe.
Good.
“Smaller means faster…” so this finally explains why the much smaller birds like Bluejays and Blackbirds have no fear regularly harassing the Red-shouldered Hawks. Thanks for finally putting closure to this long open question, now my head can take a breather.
Generally that’s the case, Elmer. Which also explains in part why larger birds are easier to photograph at takeoff. Much easier.
Wow! That is some shot, Ron! Both birds are putting on such spectacular displays.
I want to make some sort of allusion to your license plate, but my creative brain seems to be doing some “social distancing” this morning.
Glad to learn that Dick is OK — I’ve been thinking about him too.
Marty, Dick is extremely frustrated by his predicament and has been for months.
Your documenatary shots are ALWAYS worth seeing. Particularly as they are so often documentaries which most of us will never see for ourselves. Thank you.
I am regularly blown away by just how many birds have ‘little man syndrome’ and are more than happy to take on bigger birds. We regularly see beak-offs at our feeders.
Mind you I think the little man syndrome is perhaps best illustrated by our Orchard Butterfly which will reportedly take on anything black and white which flies into their territory – including magpies.
Thanks, EC. A butterfly taking on a magpie, now I’d like to see that.
I had no idea that different raptor species would tangle. Food? Territory? Mistaken identity?I thought they would steer clear of each other; professional courtesy a la sharks and lawyers. No disrespect to raptors and sharks. Full disclosure: some of my best friends are lawyers.
Lyle, in my experience it seems to be over hunting/nesting territory most often. Less often it’s over a specific food item. I suspect it rarely happens over mistaken identity, if ever.
Ramble on Ron 😁. I like when you throw in a mixed bag of goodies. Different birds, fly fishermen and Kenny ❗️
What a thrill to see one of these guys but to catch this encounter. Was this a flyby or did this continue ⁉️
Take Care All
Thanks, Diana. If I remember correctly the harrier made several passes on the Ferrug.
Perhaps the Ferrug had a nesting area there. I would not take on a Ferruginous.
I should have gone out this morning! it’s looking better than I thought.
I meant to say perhaps the Harrier had a nesting area.
April, both species nest up there so either is possible.
April, if it makes you feel any better it looked to be quite cloudy up north until about 10 AM.
Northern Harriers are really feisty. I have photographed them harassing Red-shouldered Hawks, Peregrine Falcons, and a Short-eared Owl. I also saw the tables turned when a juvenile White-tailed Kite aggressively harassed a Northern Harrier and drove it from it’s territory. A White-tailed Kite is even smaller than a Harrier. I’m with you that some photos are interesting for their action alone, and I’m glad you share them.
Thanks, John. Some individual harriers seem to learn that they can steal voles from Short-eared Owls and they attempt to do it regularly, even in flight.
1. I love the screaming face of the Ferengi Hawk (lol I crack myself up!)
2. Shameless ramblings are welcome in my world.
“Shameless ramblings are welcome in my world”
I appreciate that, Arwen but I probably went a little overboard yesterday.
Great action photo Ron. The fearless David Harrier vs the Mighty Goliath Ferrug. What did Ali say, “Float like a butterfly, sting like a bee.” Ferocious Harriers. A couple months back I came upon a female Harrier feasting on a Coot. Later I was telling another photographer there about all the great photos I got, and he said, “You only saw half the show, the Coot was originally killed by a Prairie Falcon, but then the Harrier came and took it for herself.”
Perfect quote for this situation, Everett.
I’d be surprised if a harrier took on a living healthy coot but then I’ve been surprised before.
I agree with Alison…I got the impression the hawk was getting ready to extend his feet up-wards to ‘kick’ the harrier off. I have seen a short ear owl do that feet upwards extension flip with a harrier harassing it. I really like the harrier’s pose…feet dangling, eyes down, wings and tail spread making it self ‘larger than life’…it’s definitely the aggressor. Interesting capture! I too miss Dick’s comments but I did see him on your facebook page so knew he was well.
“I got the impression the hawk was getting ready to extend his feet up-wards to ‘kick’ the harrier off”
Kathy, I think that’s exactly what he was preparing to do.
Here’s an example of the Short-eared Owl fighting behaviors and fighting postures you mention:
https://www.featheredphotography.com/blog/2018/03/18/fighting-male-short-eared-owls-2/
Wonderful photo, Ron! 🙂 Does appear the ferruginous was readying for battle! Great capture to hell with photographic “perfection”…….. 😉
Warm and breezy here – typical “spring weather” for North Central Montana. Having to “behave” which the weather helps with……. 😉 Doing well…..
Haven’t noticed Dick Harlow out here for awhile…..???
Thanks, Judy.
Dick is having computer problems and he’s had them for months. For some reason he usually can’t load my blog and when he can it won’t let him comment. He still often comments on Facebook (he did this morning) based on my FB preview image. I know it’s very frustrating for him.
Judy, on FB I told Dick what you said. This was his response:
“Many thanks Ron and Judy. You know it is really weird. When I restart my computer I can open your pictures but can’t send a comment, instead I have to comment on your blog. After I’ve been open for awhile, I can’t even open your photographs and can only access your blog. At least I try every day. However, once the Covid-19 is over, and my wife and I survive, I plan to upgrade my computer, and than maybe I’ll be able to get back on! This is a really tough time and we all need to have empathy and support one another!!”
A royal pain…….just glad you’re OK……. 🙂 Just started on Facebook under Judi Klink so will check Ron’s post there………..
I just checked out your FB page. I like your pre-surgery bonnet… 🙂
To me, there’s something quite magical about this photo! Because of the grasses, the larger hawk seems almost suspended. Even more important, the air between the two seems electrified! I imagine that any two birds in this situation must generate quite an emotional charge in one another! My initial thought was how “choreographed” this looks, but it’s really the other way around… The best choreography tries to evoke this natural sense of hyper-charged space that naturally occurs within these encounters.
“Because of the grasses, the larger hawk seems almost suspended”
Alison, I think that bird actually is off the ground a little as it jumped up to meet the incoming harrier. You’ve made some interesting observations.