<< Previous Next >>

Marsh Harrier


Marsh Harrier
Photo Information
Copyright: Pekka Valo (pekkavalo1) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 279 W: 21 N: 1025] (3187)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-06-08
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon EOS 1D Mark III, Canon EF 400mm f4.0 DO IS USM, RAW ISO 400, Canon EF 1.4x Extender II
Exposure: f/10.0, 1/800 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2008-06-20 0:28
Viewed: 302
Points: 24
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
A female (Western) Marsh Harrier flying above Stodmarsh nature reserve.

From Birdguides:

In: Western Marsh Harrier Ca: Arpella vulgar Da: Rørhøg De: Rohrweihe Es: Aguilucho lagunero occidental Fi: ruskosuohaukka Fr: Busard des roseaux It: Falco di palude Nl: Bruine Kiekendief No: Sivhauk Pt: Tartaranhão-ruivo-dos-pauis Sv: Brun kärrhök US: Western Marsh Harrier Ru: Болотный лунь

Identification
The Marsh Harrier is larger than other harriers, with broader wings, a shorter tail and showing no signs of a pale rump. Juvenile Marsh Harriers can appear completely dark brown but they usually show some pale plumage on the head giving them the nickname of cream-crowns. In females, this pale pattern becomes more extensive with age, spreading across the leading edge of the wing. As male Marsh Harriers get older they acquire areas of grey until their plumage becomes a patchwork of brown in the body, grey in the wings and tail and black at the wing tips. The females and juveniles may look generally all-brown like Black Kites and Booted Eagles but they lack the pointed wings and tail of a Kite and aren't as chunky as the eagle.

Habitat
Breeds and winters in extensive reedbeds often hunting in open country nearby.

Behaviour
The female does most of the incubating and is therefore reliant on the male to provide her with food. When the male has caught some prey, he calls and the female flies up from the nest to join him. They then execute a food pass, sometimes by almost linking talons but more usually by the male dropping the prey for the female to catch before it hits the reedbed.

Migration
Northern European populations migrate southwards in winter while southerly populations are mainly dispersive. Small numbers of migrants can be seen passing over most parts of the Mediterranean in spring and autumn.
haraprasan, eng55, Argus, MMM, jaycee, SelenE has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

Hi Pekka,
A nice capture of this Marsh Harrier. Excellent composition with sharp details. Very good timing. Thanks a lot for sharing.

Ottimo scatto! Complimenti!

Ciao e grazie, Emanuele

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 353 W: 3 N: 375] (1123)
  • [2008-06-20 1:54]

Hi Pekka,
Beautiful in-flight capture.I liked cross framing,BG and composition a lot.
Thanks for posting.

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2496 W: 132 N: 7098] (22175)
  • [2008-06-20 3:13]

Hello Pekka,
A marvellous capture of a female Marsh Harrier. So far I have not been as successful as this in taking a satisfactory in-flight. The POV, sharpness, composition against a blue sky and exposure are great!
TFS this fine image,
Ivan

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 737 W: 0 N: 1497] (6754)
  • [2008-06-20 7:31]

Hello Pekka
Nice in flight image.Good pOV and sharp image with nice detail.
TFS Michel

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1687 W: 8 N: 4335] (14097)
  • [2008-06-20 9:22]

Hi Pekka,

Another beautiful in-flight shot! Wonderful colors and details of this Harrier. I love the wing positions. Looks great against the perfect blue sky.

Jane

Hi Pekka, splendid bird in great fly with perfect focus, fine details and excellent sharpness, very well done, have a good week end, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • joey Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1584 W: 242 N: 5304] (18669)
  • [2008-06-20 13:31]

You get some great shots of such unusual animals... most of which I've never seen before even though they're from England!
This Marsh Harrier is another one... it's such a secretive bird and is rarely seen yet here you present a fantastic capture of one :-)
Very well composed, superb exposure, sharp and crisp, excellent focusing.

Superb work, Pekka!!

Cheers,
Joe

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1213 W: 0 N: 4642] (13806)
  • [2008-06-20 14:12]

Hi Pekka

I have seen these at Cley and Hickling. but never so close. Great wok - great detail and composition.

James

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 844 W: 4 N: 2088] (9792)
  • [2008-06-21 3:24]

Hello Pekka,
Very nice capture of this bird. Lovely composition and sharp details. Ganesh smiley tmrw

I love the sharp details you've got here, Pekka.Very nice shot!
Goldy

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2307 W: 59 N: 3688] (11816)
  • [2008-06-22 13:02]

Hi Pekka,
The marsh harrier looks good against the blue sky. Good POV, composition and pose. TFS
Greetings,
Selen

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF