The Hunter

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited October 25, 2006 in Wildlife
Hi y'all,

I've said a number of times in the past that the best photo ops come when you find a bird who is in hunting mode. If you hang with them long enough you usually can get a real interesting action shot. Each bird has its own distinctive hunting behavior. The GBH is a slow and careful hunter. It will normally stand stock still and stare intently in its hunting area waiting for some prey to come within range. Then they strike, quickly, accurately and usually with a bigger catch than the other birds will come up with.

I recently came across a GBH on the hunt and I hung with him for around an hour and a half.

our protagonist on the watch
102123976-O.jpg

after around 90 minutes he stiffens, an indicator that he has spotted something of interest
102123983-O.jpg

he moves in
102123986-O.jpg

He strikes!
102123991-O.jpg

he starts to come up
102123994-O.jpg

and the catch is.........
102124001-O.jpg

a lousy twig!!!!!! I mean I waited a frigging 90 minutes for this bozo to catch a twig!!!!!! :pissed

102124016-O.jpg

He eats the twig (I guess he needed the fiber) and shake sit off
102124004-O.jpg

then its back to the hunt
102124011-O.jpg
Harry
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"

Comments

  • Dick on ArubaDick on Aruba Registered Users Posts: 3,484 Major grins
    edited October 22, 2006
    Great series Harry.

    You fooled my expectations till the very last pic with your mini-story. I was waiting for the catch that was at least half the size of the GBH. rolleyes1.gif

    Thanks for sharing.

    Dick.
    "Nothing sharpens sight like envy."
    Thomas Fuller.

    SmugMug account.
    Website.
  • Trish323Trish323 Registered Users Posts: 908 Major grins
    edited October 22, 2006
    rolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gifwings.gifwings.gifwings.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gif

    Have I said..."been there....done that." ? Great shots and story! I will always cherish your honesty!
  • pathfinderpathfinder Super Moderators Posts: 14,708 moderator
    edited October 22, 2006
    No Reznick flip with the twig??

    All great, but I really like the one with the feathers all fluffed up!!thumb.gif
    Pathfinder - www.pathfinder.smugmug.com

    Moderator of the Technique Forum and Finishing School on Dgrin
  • LCDLCD Registered Users Posts: 494 Major grins
    edited October 22, 2006
    You had me on the edge of my seat!
    Another wonderful series.
    I love the shot with the fluffed feathers.
  • dbaker1221dbaker1221 Registered Users Posts: 4,482 Major grins
    edited October 22, 2006
    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!rolleyes1.gif

    Thanks Harry.
    **If I keep shooting, I'm bound to hit something**
    Dave
  • PhyxiusPhyxius Registered Users Posts: 1,396 Major grins
    edited October 22, 2006
    Hehe, great story and series. I'm sorry you waited all that time for a stick!
    Christina Dale
    SmugMug Support Specialist - www.help.smugmug.com

    http://www.phyxiusphotos.com
    Equine Photography in Maryland - Dressage, Eventing, Hunters, Jumpers
  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,013 Major grins
    edited October 22, 2006
    ha finally shot some today and me and a hunting gbh also ----but 5 flips from one bird thumb.gifdeal.gifwings.gif oh sorry that was a twig you got :cry rolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gif
    Jeff W

    “PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • raptorcaptorraptorcaptor Registered Users Posts: 3,968 Major grins
    edited October 22, 2006
    Nice shots and story Harry!thumb.gif I watched a green heron continuosly catch a twig.
    Glenn

    My website | NANPA Member
  • Bayer-Z28Bayer-Z28 Registered Users Posts: 392 Major grins
    edited October 22, 2006
    Oh, man... I don't mean to laugh.. but you're right... maybe he just needed the fiber. I've seen them hunt. I believe it might have been in FL... Or was it a Crane..headscratch.gif

    Anyway.. good story.:D....The constant staring must have bluured his vision. 1/2" off... Dang it, there goes dinner.
    Auto enthusiast. I drive a 2000 Camaro Z28. LOADED w/ mods.

    Camera: Nikon D80, 18-55 f3.5 stocker & 18-200 Nikon VR.... with a small collection of filters..


    My Smugmug.. STILL Under construction.
    http://bayer-Z28.smugmug.com
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 22, 2006
    Dick on Aruba wrote:
    Great series Harry.

    You fooled my expectations till the very last pic with your mini-story. I was waiting for the catch that was at least half the size of the GBH. rolleyes1.gif

    Thanks for sharing.

    Dick.

    I was fooled too Dick. I too was expecting a much more impressive catch. :D
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • Awais YaqubAwais Yaqub Registered Users Posts: 10,572 Major grins
    edited October 22, 2006
    very cool series !! clap.gif
    Thine is the beauty of light; mine is the song of fire. Thy beauty exalts the heart; my song inspires the soul. Allama Iqbal

    My Gallery
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 23, 2006
    Trish323 wrote:
    rolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gifwings.gifwings.gifwings.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gif

    Have I said..."been there....done that." ? Great shots and story! I will always cherish your honesty!

    Thanks Trish. I was tempted to stick a different "catch" in the series but I resisted. :D
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited October 23, 2006
    Damm Harry One of your best Sets, really nice done

    Had me going and then a big laugh (boy can I relate :lol) finish!!

    Oh darn the images, yeah well there ylsuper.gif

    But I'm not going to let ya get off free.... I would of liked to of seen the dive water a little sharper.
    Benjamin
    My Galleries
    Flicker
    G+
  • SystemSystem Registered Users Posts: 8,186 moderator
    edited October 23, 2006
    Poor Bozo
    and the catch is.........
    a lousy twig!!!!!! I mean I waited a frigging 90 minutes for this bozo to catch a twig!!!!!! :pissed

    Think how Bozo must have felt ... then he was so embarrassed he ate the dang thing!

    Superb images and fun as usual!

    rolleyes1.gif
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 23, 2006
    pathfinder wrote:
    No Reznick flip with the twig??

    All great, but I really like the one with the feathers all fluffed up!!thumb.gif

    Thanks PF. He might have done a flip with that bloody twig but at that point I didn'y give a hoot. :D
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 23, 2006
    LCD wrote:
    You had me on the edge of my seat!
    Another wonderful series.
    I love the shot with the fluffed feathers.

    Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed it.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 23, 2006
    dbaker1221 wrote:
    BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!rolleyes1.gif

    Thanks Harry.

    You're welcome, glad you enjoyed it.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • DeeDee Registered Users Posts: 2,981 Major grins
    edited October 23, 2006
    An hour and a half?
    Watching a perfectly standing still bird stand around? An hour and a half????

    Now I know why I'm not a bird photographer!rolleyes1.gif

    I enjoyed the series, loved the ruffled feathers.
    http://www.deegolden.smugmug.com
    http://www.twitter.com/deegolden
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 23, 2006
    Phyxius wrote:
    Hehe, great story and series. I'm sorry you waited all that time for a stick!

    Thanks Christina. Ut was a long wait but at least I didn't have to eat that stick.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 24, 2006
    jwear wrote:
    ha finally shot some today and me and a hunting gbh also ----but 5 flips from one bird thumb.gifdeal.gifwings.gif oh sorry that was a twig you got :cry rolleyes1.gifrolleyes1.gif


    Not to worry Jeff I have a few Reznick Flips in the hopper and they will be posted soon or maybe I'll go with my latest eagle shots. :D
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 24, 2006
    raptorcaptor wrote:
    Nice shots and story Harry!thumb.gif I watched a green heron continuosly catch a twig.

    Thanks Glenn, at least my GBH only did the twig thing once.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 24, 2006
    Bayer-Z28 wrote:
    Oh, man... I don't mean to laugh.. but you're right... maybe he just needed the fiber. I've seen them hunt. I believe it might have been in FL... Or was it a Crane..headscratch.gif

    Anyway.. good story.:D....The constant staring must have bluured his vision. 1/2" off... Dang it, there goes dinner.

    Glad you enjoyed it. wave.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 24, 2006
    Awais Yaqub wrote:
    very cool series !! clap.gif

    Thanks Awais. wave.gif
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 24, 2006
    bfjr wrote:
    Damm Harry One of your best Sets, really nice done

    Had me going and then a big laugh (boy can I relate :lol) finish!!

    Oh darn the images, yeah well there ylsuper.gif

    But I'm not going to let ya get off free.... I would of liked to of seen the dive water a little sharper.

    Thank you Ben, I'm glad you enjoyed the set. I promise to work harder on my dive water in the future. :D
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 25, 2006
    KaMo wrote:
    and the catch is.........
    a lousy twig!!!!!! I mean I waited a frigging 90 minutes for this bozo to catch a twig!!!!!! :pissed

    Think how Bozo must have felt ... then he was so embarrassed he ate the dang thing!

    Superb images and fun as usual!

    rolleyes1.gif

    Thanks much
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 25, 2006
    Dee wrote:
    Watching a perfectly standing still bird stand around? An hour and a half????

    Now I know why I'm not a bird photographer!rolleyes1.gif

    I enjoyed the series, loved the ruffled feathers.

    Well he didn't stand perfectly still, he moved his head, stepped a few inches, leaned forward, etc. Not exciting but its still more interesting than what's on TV these days. :D

    Glad you enjoyed it Dee.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited October 25, 2006
    Looks like he ruffled your feathers, Harry!rolleyes1.gif

    Wonderful set of shots.nod.gif
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited October 25, 2006
    Ric Grupe wrote:
    Looks like he ruffled your feathers, Harry!rolleyes1.gif

    Wonderful set of shots.nod.gif

    Thanks Ric.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
Sign In or Register to comment.