I have seen these amazing birds from time to time for years, hovering over open fields looking for a good meal. Like helicopters, they fly stationary and patiently wait for their prey. Alas, they have always been way too far away for me to capture on "film" but recently I encountered this one on the banks of the Loire right next to the levee as I passed by. I had only a few moments before he saw me and flew away, so I didn't capture the "perfect" image. However, these two shots manage to show his hawkish profile as well as his tail plumage.
Very cool! I didn't know they hunted over water.
ReplyDeleteHe was right on the river's edge which didn't show up in the photo, so was indeed over land. It was a very lucky opportunity to be able to shoot from above (on the levee).
DeleteGreat shots, you were very lucky to have this vantage point. The bird is a Kestrel, btw (Fr. crécerelle). Harriers are much bigger and don't hover but glide at low level over the fields to hunt.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that identification. I couldn't identify it from my bird book. I searched on the internet and found a photo that seemed to match but apparently not. Also my brain was biased by the fighter airplane Harrier Jump Jet that can also hover like this bird.
DeleteNice shots.
ReplyDeleteExcellent captures Stuart, a tres dificile shot to get!
ReplyDeleteThey're terrific shots!
ReplyDeleteVery nice. We Americans are at a distinct disadvantage in trying to identify all these "old world" birds, mammals, insects, and plants. Especially since the same name is often applied to really different animals and plants over there compared to over here. Don't tell Americans that our national bird is not a true eagle!
ReplyDeleteI have to confess I am one of them. I have searched online for "true eagle" and see that the bald eagle is not one of them. But I cannot find an explanation of the term "true eagle" itself. Do you know what that means?
DeleteAll I know is that the term eagle is applied to birds in Europe that we don't have in North America. Likewise, the American eagle is not the same family of birds, even though we use the same word. The same applies to the robin. And buzzards.
DeleteToujours compliqué.
DeleteLove birds of prey! Nice action shots.
ReplyDelete