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Carol Keeler | all galleries >> Galleries >> Picture a Day for 2012 > Male Northern Harrier with Kill
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08-JAN-2012

Male Northern Harrier with Kill

This is an example of a time that I should have had my 500mm lens with me in the car. I had gone out to get the moonrise which was just before sunset. I parked along the side of the road to wait, looked to my left and there was this gray thing on the polo field. I realized it was a raptor eating its kill. I only had my 18-200 AFs VR lens with me, so I used that. I got a few sharp shots, though my raptor was small. When it flew, I saw the white rump patch and knew I had a male harrier. I searched the same area again for a few days hoping it would be around again and that I might get a really good shot with my 500, but no luck. I know now that even if I'm going for a sunset, bring along the long lens too. You never know what might pop up. I see female and immature harriers regularly, but not the beautiful male. Lesson learned.

Nikon D300
1/100s f/8.0 at 300.0mm iso400 full exif

other sizes: small medium original auto
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Milan Vogrin19-Feb-2012 14:56
Nice shot!
Carl Carbone21-Jan-2012 05:18
Still a very nice capture!
Guest 20-Jan-2012 20:46
Excellent! V.