John Holmes

MPNR boardwalk, 25th Oct 2015

800mm + 7D Mk 2

The Harrier disabled the duck with a strike from above, then drowned it in the shallow water on the outgoing tide.
Later the harrier carried the duck for about a hundred metres and then dropped it onto the mudflat.

lexusjohn

WOW !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Amazing
Thank you very much for sharing the great photos.

wcaptain

Hi John,

Is a teal the victim?

THX

Captain

John Holmes

Hi Captain,

Thanks for pointing out that possibility, I can't see the forewing colour well on any of the shots and the duck was very distant before being pressed under the water.

Actually, I have spent most of my time concerned about the harrier identification.  I'm not 100 % sure (confession) that this is EMH !

ajohn

I would say that the duck is a Garganey - the white on the trailing edge of the speculum is slightly wider than in the centre of the wing (greater coverts). Teal should have a broader white band across the centre of the wing. See this photo for a useful comparison of the two species (teal in the top right and bottom left): http://orientalbirdimages.org/se ... _Family_ID=&p=4

I agree with Eastern Marsh for the harrier.

jsk_ppp

Excellent shots.

((華仔))

Beautiful picture John!