Marsh Harrier Snatching Avocet Chick

[Ken Hadfield]

Captured ay Cley March Wetlands in Norfolk UK.

The Harrier decided that the chicks were easy prey and snatched four on the day I was present in the hide.

I am aware that the big crop has caused some technical imperfections but I thought this rare image was worth sharing with the members here.

I particularly like the Avocet to the left flying upside down!

Canon 1DX

Canon 500mm mk 2 + 1.4 extender

F/ 8

1/2000th


ISO 400

[Jeannean Ryman]

Wonderful capture of nature's order of things. I hate seeing the chick caught, but that's what happens. The upside down Avocet is great. This conveys "panic mode" very well. It's also kind of neat how the Avocets frame the Harrier. Nicely done.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Ken, great action captured here, and I like how you have managed to not cut off any of the surrounding avocets. The upside down avocet certainly adds to the drama, and although all subjects are separated from the BG, I would try and smoothen out the BG a little more. Well captured.

[Robert Kimbrell]

Good job with this shot. Great timing. and the upside down bird is amazing.

[Julie Brown]

Hi Ken, I like the drama of this scene-the upside down bird is a plus. A well caught action shot!

BTW, as a pug-lover myself (currently have 3 pugs) I just had to mention that I like your member thumbnail!

[Bruce Spell]

Amazing shot! You captured this event so well. I'm impressed with the upside down bird. He appears to be flying upside down but with his head turned right side up! Never seen anything like that!

[Ken Hadfield]

Thanks Julie. I have had three pugs myself but sadly two have passed away fairly young. Molly is the youngest at three years old and my constant companion. After my wife she is the second love of my life and is sitting tucked into my side as I write this message. I simply can't imagine life without her. Soppy I know but I have never known such a faithful loving breed of dog. Hopefully she will live a long and healthy life. She certainly gets plenty of attention. I should also mention she is my lucky mascot when I travel to a wildlife site that allows dogs into their hides. With her at my feet I have never failed to get at least one image to be proud of.

[Loi Nguyen]

Ken, amazing shot. the upside down Avocet added a lot to the drama. Regarding the big crop, have you tried a lesser crop? It seems to me you could give a bit more room all the around. Loi

[Ken Hadfield]

Ken, amazing shot. the upside down Avocet added a lot to the drama. Regarding the big crop, have you tried a lesser crop? It seems to me you could give a bit more room all the around. Loi

Hi Loi

Thanks for your suggestion. I did consider less of a crop but decided I wanted the main subject to be as large as possible and I also wanted the Avocets to frame the image.

Regards

Ken

[Karl Egressy]

Great action shot, Ken. It is amazing to see one of the birds flying upside down.

[Satish Ranadive]

Absolutely superb action captured. I like the way harrier is framed by birds.Love this behavioral shot.

Regards,
Satish.

[christopher galeski]

Great image,its all been said,well done.

[Girish Prahalad]

dramatic! like all the action going on in the frame!

[shane shacaluga]

Wonderful action shot!

Were the four chicks from the same parents?

[Randy Stout]

Ken:

A good example of how the action/story captured trumps the tech. issues. Yes, better IQ would be lovely, but it is a very effective image with a once in a lifetime combination of action and framing.

Cheers

Randy

[Dperkell]

Amazing capture, the upside down is brilliant! So sad to see the chick being snatched:-( nonetheless that is the circle of life.

[Marina Scarr]

I missed this image the first time around. Simply amazing behavior/action captured.