Latest update on Great Driving Challenge contest - The Top 12 list was announced on 23rd July. We made it to the Top 12. A big thank you to all our blogger friends. We appreciate your support.
Having photographed many bird species, we can surely say that, for us, the raptors are the most majestic amongst all. We have photographed many raptors including the Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle and Kestrels. And we consider the Pied Harrier, with its distinct black & white (B&W) plumage to be the ‘Most Handsome of all Harriers’!
Pied Harriers are primarily found in South and South East Asia. We have read reports that estimate their population to be about 10,000 and also, that they are the only species of Harriers to breed in India.
We were thrilled when during one of our early morning bird watching trips to Hesserghatta; we had a chance sighting of the handsome Pied Harrier. We were very keenly watching a beautiful Common Kestrel (female) trying to hunt for her breakfast; when we noticed this B&W Raptor doing low sorties about 500 meters from where we were parked. Its tail, long wings, its "V" shape wings (while it was gliding) and the B&W plumage were a giveaway that we were looking at our first Pied Harrier sighting. We kissed our Kestrel goodbye and drove in the direction of the Harrier. After we reached within 300 meters of it, we were waiting to see if he would land. And then land he did about 200 meters from where we were! We slowly inched our car to within 50 meters from where it was and again paused for a while, in case he got spooked. However, to our delight, this bird of prey did not get spooked by the car's presence and allowed us to get closer till we were about 50-75 feet from where it was. We were able to get a handful of shots in those exciting few minutes, before he bid us farewell with a classic flight pose. We are hopeful that some day, we will sight this handsome raptor once again and it will pose for us a wee bit longer giving us an opportunity to take better pictures; till then here’s our first sighting.
All images were shot with the D300, 300mm f2.8 with 2x TC at 600 focal length. The setup was supported on the car window frame and shots taken handheld.
This flight shot was taken at f5.6, 1/800s, 0EV, ISO200 when the raptor gave me a farewell flyby.
Having photographed many bird species, we can surely say that, for us, the raptors are the most majestic amongst all. We have photographed many raptors including the Crested Serpent Eagle, Changeable Hawk Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle and Kestrels. And we consider the Pied Harrier, with its distinct black & white (B&W) plumage to be the ‘Most Handsome of all Harriers’!
Pied Harriers are primarily found in South and South East Asia. We have read reports that estimate their population to be about 10,000 and also, that they are the only species of Harriers to breed in India.
We were thrilled when during one of our early morning bird watching trips to Hesserghatta; we had a chance sighting of the handsome Pied Harrier. We were very keenly watching a beautiful Common Kestrel (female) trying to hunt for her breakfast; when we noticed this B&W Raptor doing low sorties about 500 meters from where we were parked. Its tail, long wings, its "V" shape wings (while it was gliding) and the B&W plumage were a giveaway that we were looking at our first Pied Harrier sighting. We kissed our Kestrel goodbye and drove in the direction of the Harrier. After we reached within 300 meters of it, we were waiting to see if he would land. And then land he did about 200 meters from where we were! We slowly inched our car to within 50 meters from where it was and again paused for a while, in case he got spooked. However, to our delight, this bird of prey did not get spooked by the car's presence and allowed us to get closer till we were about 50-75 feet from where it was. We were able to get a handful of shots in those exciting few minutes, before he bid us farewell with a classic flight pose. We are hopeful that some day, we will sight this handsome raptor once again and it will pose for us a wee bit longer giving us an opportunity to take better pictures; till then here’s our first sighting.
All images were shot with the D300, 300mm f2.8 with 2x TC at 600 focal length. The setup was supported on the car window frame and shots taken handheld.
This flight shot was taken at f5.6, 1/800s, 0EV, ISO200 when the raptor gave me a farewell flyby.
EXIF for all the shots hereafter is f5.6, 1/200s, 0EV, ISO400
Check out more bird images at
Posts
83 comments:
Great images as usual.Really like the look and attitude of the Pied Harrier.
This is a wonderful species and the added challenge of shooting black and white birds. Very welld done!
Such a graceful bird..and great shots ,Thomas.
Wonderful! What a gorgeous bird!
Spectacular! Wow.
Fantastic snaps as usual. The color combination of this bird is really nice.
i have to agree with you.. he does look pretty awesome with that color combination.. great shots! :D
A very handsome bird indeed! You always seem to have such luck with these awesome chance encounters!! Thanks for sharing, as always.
That is definitely a handsome harrier! I especially like the in-flight shot.
yes those pics are really nice ... those birds have a real cold look in their eyes !!
What this bird beautiful and proud is...Splendid series of animals portraits Thomas.
Great photos.
terrific shots.
Bravo.
Have a nice week.
Yvon.
Really love the first shot. Great work!
Excellent images, so sharp end detailed.. like the looks of this bird.
What a glorious looking captures! Such a lovely and scary creature!
beautiful sharp shots ... yet again. luved all of them and especially the in-flight. wonderful captures
Loveeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeelyyyyyyyy......What a fantastic shot! Thanks for showing this to us. I never saw this type of bird. Your photographs are wonderful! Well done!
great pics.... we saw a similar looking bird at thekkady, but unfortunately, i didnt have my binoculars then!!! looks really great!!
I just kept seeing the photographs again and again! Truly a remarkable bird and photography. Great work!
TV Tower on Sinhagad - Going Inside Clouds
Superb photography of the Harrier.
I do hope you get a chance to sight more such raptors, if not this very same one.
Wonderful! Amazing colors and captures. The flight capture and the one that is looking at you are incredible!
What a magnificent bird this is. Your photos are excellent too.
Your visit will count and help me Make History.
Pick a Peck of Pixels
as usual beautiful and loved the use of DOF! the bird is also so beautiful!
I stand & clap.
fantastic !!!
Awesome! What a stunning bird, and you've done a great job capturing that. I love how the bright yellow eyes stand out against the black-and-white plumage. And I have to admit: A quick glance at that first image reminded me of a laughing gull or Franklin's gull in breeding plumage. Amazing how beautiful black and white can be...
The second one's my favourite of this stunning set.
What an intense look!!!
Another impressive series. Our Harriers are shades of brown, tan, and white, etc., so it is especially interesting to note the color differences.
WOW! Like the royal prestance of this rapace... And happy to recognize that not endanger species... In flight, it seems less threatening... Good week.
what a proud look
mind-blowing shots as usual. This bird looks very beautiful!!!
Fantastic series! Great detail too!
awesome shots man! the bird's expressions are caught right on target in these shots. the DOF around the animal extends very well, bravo!
handsome indeed! Beautiful images~
Congrats on making it to the top 100 list - it is well deserved! Beautiful shots of this bird - love the yellow eyes!
wow, amazing! - the first and last pictures are my favourites.
This raptor has a look that means business! The pied colour is spectacular.
I see some majestic birds here, thanks for sharing. ;)
Amazing Raptor. Great shot.
Oh they are all gorgeous shots. Thanks for the tips Thom, I wish I'm using some high-end camera but I'm only using for now P&S. :(
Thomas: What a beautiful bird so well captured. I love your in flight shot, very nicely done.
What a handsome bird indeed!! Love the haughty look on the bird and what beautiful eyes!!
Thomas...you are amazingly quick and agile when you are on a trail. I bet it takes a lot of effort to focus and captures these great birds.
What an exctremely handsome bird Thomas. There are so few birds which are actually pied. These pics are terrific as usual.
I think you must have been visiting my blog on the wrong days as 50-75% of my stuff is macro. :)Check out this mantis on I did a few days ago:
http://saphotographs.blogspot.com/2009/07/common-green-mantis-emerges.html
or the one on wasps:
http://saphotographs.blogspot.com/2009/07/wasp-pirce-by-piece.html
I hope you do not mind the links on your page?
A gorgeous bird. All are fine images, but the flying one is superb! Nice work.
Beautiful shots. I agree - this is is a very handsome bird. Those eyes are incredible!
Very nice raptor
Very crisp images, as always!
wow... love it.. great shot :)
Boy, He is one gorgeous bird and to get so close to him must have been quite a thrill! My camera would have been shaking had I been taking these..quite a siting for you!! Your captures of him are very nice..esp the one of him flying..nothing more dramatic than black and white, I think!!
I love how you tell your stories, Thomas, and how your perseverance pays off! Of course you made it to the top 100!!! :D
This handsome bird of prey is a migrant in Malaysia, and hope to see it in Nov/Dec.
Your pictures are great as usual.
He is an attractive looking bird, you were lucky to be able to capture some lovely pics.
He has very dainty legs, hasn't he?
Well done for getting into the top 100!
Como siempre tus fotografias de animales son sorprendentes, has conseguido captarlo en pleno vuelo y despues posando para ti.
Saludos.
You certainly live up to the challenge. That first shot is amazing.
Excellent series again. The first picture is definitly my favourite one!
Congratulations for being in the top 100.
All the best
He has a look about him, "Don't mess with me," I think.
Beautiful shots of a wonderful looking bird, I'm impressed how sharp they are even with a 2x TC. The fly by shot is great, very well captured.
He stay here like a King in kingdom, wonderful :)
What a beautiful and proud looking bird !
graceful birds - fantastic eyes - and again wonderful photographs of an amazing animal
Fantastic captures, nice focus!
Such a proud bird! Great shots of him.
Oh boy what a gorgeous bird! And doesn't he look just chock full of confidence? I surely would not want to be on his prey list ;-) Great, great pictures!
What an angry look has this bird in the flyby picture. On the ground looks more friendlier :)
great shots the DOF really pulls out the birds.
The eyes on this bird are amazing with the strong yellow color! Beautiful photographs! and great work!
brilliant captures!!!!
congratulations on being in the top 100! hope you get to drive!
cheers!
Fantastic captures, the color combination of this bird is really nice.
Well done dear Thomas...
Fascinating captures of this beautiful bird, love the blue color. Excellent details and clarity as usual, great work!
Love it...
fantastic
Awesome series as always. The yellow eyes make him stunning. Blue Skies
Excel·lent treball, unes imatges molt boniques!!!
Wow Thomas! That is indeed a very attractive bird, and you have captured it well. I especially like #3, and also #5which appears to be a vertical crop of the same image. It's a shame for the foreground obstacles but you have done very well to compose these images in spite of that.
You make of very bells photos of birds of prey Thomas. Satisfied to make you laugh with my images. Hello, good Sunday
Wonderful series of a gorgeous bird.
Excellent - What a beautiful Bird!
Good job.
Cheers, Klaus
Great depth of field and focus on all of these. The first shot is my favorite. Looks like he's ready to swoop down.
so carrefuly composed and captured images - excellent work
http://krikis.aminus3.com
Thomas what a gracious shot. You are very lucky to have access to those parks and wild areas. There is so much to see, and probably I will never see, but thanks you I can almost experience the same. Thanks for sharing. BTW congratulations on top 12, that is excellent achievement. Anna :)
Beautiful bird, beautiful shots. I especially like the softness of the areas surrounding the bird. Amazing for hand-held.
He is grand! And your photos are fabulous!
as always m left spellbound with ur photos.they r really good.
Post a Comment