Is my goose cooked?

[finnbay]

Between home and work is a place the locals call "Duckville". Two to three pairs of geese have nested there the past three years, and mallards tend to hang around close by. Always seems to be something happening there.

On my way to work this morning, I saw a pair of harriers working the grassy area around Duckville:

Got a photo of the male going down into the grass, but couldn't tell why until I got home and brought it up on my computer. Take a close look at what's right under him:

On my way home from work, another predator sneaking through the grass in almost the same place:

I know at least two of the geese were okay even after the fox went through.

All taken with the 7D and 100-400 IS

[Spearing Machine]

Cool finds Ken!! Is it my computer or are those shots appearing quite grainy? Maybe heavily cropped? Usually your photos are razor sharp but these aren't so much. In any matter, nice work as always!!

[MN Shutterbug]

Wow, 2 harriers for the price of one. I've never seen 2 together before. Nice capture.

[finnbay]

Yes, they are heavily cropped. This pair were over a quarter of a mile away and was amazed the 7D even picked 'em up at all - especially at ISO 1600 and less than 1/100th of a second (about 7 this morning and cloudy). Figured I had to try and thought the story was worth the sacrifice in image quality. The fox was only fifty feet away, but hunkered down in the grass looking at me. Didn't think I'd get much in that image either but manual focused as best as I could and PP helped bring it out.

[Hwood]

I would say you got some reach with that rig. Do you know what is under the Harrier? Looks kind of like a snapping turtle.

[finnbay]

My first impression was a duck or goose with it's head arched over it's back. I'd sure be open to other interpretation.

[finnbay]

This is the original uncropped version. My 100-400 is full out to 400.

[ricerdude69]

very cool to get the male and female in the same frame. the three male harrier shots I posted there was a female hunting with it but nowhere near close enough to think about both in the same picture. The way they fly makes it tricky to shoot just one, I'm jealous!

[Hwood]

Not sure what that is. I would not think they would go after a turtle but it kind of looked like a shell there. Thanks for throwing up that original. I got a lens fund going and the 100-400L is what I got in mind. I figure I should be able to get it just before the youngest kid complete high school. He is 2.

[Dbl]

Interesting behavior shots Ken!

[MN Shutterbug]

My first impression was a duck or goose with it's head arched over it's back. I'd sure be open to other interpretation.

From the coloring, it almost appears to be another harrier. Maybe it's getting ready to mate.

[ShawnZ]

X is right, these harriers are clearly going to mate. Too bad they were not more into exhibitionism I'd keep a close eye on this location, it looks prime for a harrier nest site spot.

[Jim Almquist]

What a cool find Ken ! Looks like you have to stake out this spot and see if there are going to be a young one's around in the future.

[finnbay]

Taking a good look at it, I believe you guys are right. I will be watching Duckville over pretty good!