April 23rd 2024 and I went back for a quick visit, especially after my previous Marsh harrier experience, I wanted more.
I'm never usually ready when I first settle into a hide, takes me a while to get my act together .....
This happened!
The male Marsh Harrier cruised right by the front of the hide, luckily I had the camera out and, by chance, it was ok for these shots. I'm terrible for not checking and really screwing up the first few.
How could I know I was about to get my longest and best session with this bird?
It was a good light day and the bird was busy hunting.
I tracked him as he hunted over the reed beds.
Eyes on the ground, hunting as he slowly dropped towards the reeds.
He'd obviously spotted a snack down there and this is where the shots start to get more ropey as he sank into the reeds, then rose out again.
I was amazed I managed to get most of these shots, my tracking ability is terrible but, these are all in sequence.
The focus starts to drift here but, I'm happy sharing these more as a behaviour record.
I think I said in my previous post, I rarely get to see the male!
He was of course now getting further away but still probably the closest I'd seen him.
Then he turned again, crossing my view once more.
tbc.
Wow, right place, right time, with the right equipment , well done, great shots.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.