Save The Harrier

How many times did you see a Raptor siting around 20 metres from you? Its hard. And I was fortunate today. I have seen once the Greater Spotted Eagle around 30 meters and when I was in Kenya I saw the Pygmy Falcon around 15 meters. The best one so far is the Long-legged Buzzard which was around 10 meters. And that was a tragedy too. I did not have enough battery to take the shot I want. I just took around 12 shots and the battery died and I didnt have a spare with me. I pulled my chair from the car and sat and looked at the bird. Almost after 15 minutes I guess he got bored of me and flew away.

I have seen a lot raptors flying just above me. Some of them just 15 meters high. But seeing one sitting on the ground is a different feeling. And I felt that feeling today. I took the risk of going into a Sabka (a mixture of water, salt and mud). You can really get stuck there. For me it was a oppertunity of a life time. So I was ready to take that risk. And the result is not at all bad.

After visiting the Mussafah today (See Over The Edge), directly went to Watbah Camel Racetrack. Found nothing much there. There were some wheatears, larks, Indian Silverbill, etc. So directly went to the Pool to see whether the Goose that I saw a couple of days back is still present. Found a couple of Western Marsh Harriers flying. There were a lot of Mallards with waders like Little Stint, Kentish Plover, Dunlin, Pied Avocet and Black-winged Stilt present in the pool. There were also a lot of Laughing Doves and Feral Pegions.

The Marsh Harrier sat on a bush and my attempt to get a photo was in vain. He moved to the Sabka Area and I was forced to go there. But the risk taken is paid well. I am satisfied with the photos. The bird allowed me to take some decent photographs of it. I guess he too enjoyed it.

Anyway not a bad day at all. A lot of good photos were taken today, especially the photos I took when I was in Mussafah. But if you ask me what is my favourite photo today, I dont have to think even for a second. Its the Marsh Harrier photo. I simply love that photo.

All photos in this blog is copyrighted to Shah Jahan. Please do not use it without written permission. For more information please contact sjahanmi@gmail.com.