I feel for the Raptors, always being harrased.
In the first shot the Spotted Harrier is at the bottom of the tree.
Harrier and Ravens-6559 by rawshorty, on Flickr">[/url] Harrier and Ravens-6559 by rawshorty, on Flickr
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Then he took off with the Ravens in hot persuit
Harrier and Ravens-6563 by rawshorty, on Flickr">[/url] Harrier and Ravens-6563 by rawshorty, on Flickr
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Harrier and Ravens-6567 by rawshorty, on Flickr">[/url] Harrier and Ravens-6567 by rawshorty, on Flickr
Wonderful photos! They are a beautiful bird aren't they. Do you see them often?
Thanks, Elsie. No i don't see them to much, they are usually so far away my shots are not good enough for positive ID.
There is a bit of a story behind these.
I was driving home from the wetlands when i spotted what i thought were 2 Whistling Kites being harassed by the Ravens, so after a couple of u-turns i pulled of the road where i saw them go down.
Thinking they landed in some trees down the paddock a bit i went looking for them, half way to the tree BAM the kite exploded of the ground in front of me.
Thinking he was going to head away from me, to my surprise he came to me and circled me at close proximity.
(The kite pics i posted yesterday) I only took a couple of pics and spent the rest of the time just watching him, then he went away only to come back soon after with the Gallahs.
I just stood there in awe of what just happened when BAM the Harrier was there as well and did the same thing, came up to me but much lower than the kite. These shots are not great but the first two are not cropped but the third is.
I was so excited about what was happening i didn't even think to back the lens from 500mm to say 300mm
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It was after this he went to the dam in the first pics i posted.
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
They just keep getting better thanks Shorty
Dale Huonville, Tasmania
That first photo in the second set with the Swamp Harrier is utterly stunning.
Don't know what else I can say about it.
But I reckon you were furious when you started going through your files and ran into the third one... Why, just why, did it have to flap its wings then?
Absolutely magnificent
Dont take life too seriously, it never ends well
Wow! how amazing! What a special bird
Thanks everyone for your nice comments.
Lachlan, yep i am glad no one was around to hear me when i saw it
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Why? I'm sure you 'Wow what an outstanding photo that is!'
Because it is a lovely photo- eye or no eye; it is still stunning to look at.
Lachlan, Thanks but i really would have liked to have the eye showing
I just Re-read your first post, i believe it is a Spotted Harrier?
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Whoops, sorry, I meant Spotted Harrier! Was so utterly enthralled by your photos...
Sure, I agree it would be nice if the eye was showing, but on the other hand, I still think it is a wonderful picture; it's just fascinating to look at and see the detail on the bird.
LOL. after the White Faced Night Heron debacle of 2013 i was a bit worried i got it wrong again
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Didn't you read my explanation for that? It is a "rare mutation of the Nankeen Night Heron in Canberra, its called the White Faced Night Heron... Its being considered for elevation to species status, but is in danger from bird photographers who roam around the place taking indecently good photos of the local raptors". Or so I have it on good authority. I swear. Seriously.
Beautiful! It's a Brown Faced Day Hawk....
sorry, being silly, especially seeing as I was one of the first to believe the Herongate incident 
Sure I'll do it more than once down the track too. I see what you're saying about the eye, although we can be our own worst critics sometimes, & I agree with Lachlan too, still an awesome shot. First one is probably my favourite for the intent look in his eyes. Keep them coming!
West Coast Tasmania
Hmmm... If Nixon lost the presidency due to Watergate, does that mean that Shorty looses his camera because of 'Herongate'?
Good news..... Had my day in court for the Herongate incident. The Judge was very mad that i got it so wrong, but felt that my excitement superseded my incompetence. He did warn me that if i fronted him again that he would take my Canon gear off me and make me use Nikon...Noooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I won't do again, i promise
Shorty......Canon gear
Canberra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rawshorty/
Nikon!! Heaven forbid
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West Coast Tasmania