ACTION: Northern Harrier steals vole from a Short-eared Owl, photo sequence

[Eric Ellingson]

As an SEOW found and grabbed a vole from the field below a NOHA saw this and pursued it. The owl went skyward trying to evade the incoming harrier. With sharp nails at the end of its long out-stretched legs, the harrier made an intimidating approach. The owl maneuvered to get out of the way however, the harrier came from underneath and snatched the prey from the owl with one grab. 

[Pauline Sterin]

Astounding pictures, Eric. Well done!

Pauline

On Mar 9, 2024, at 3:09 PM, Eric Ellingson <esell...@gmail.com> wrote:



As an SEOW found and grabbed a vole from the field below a NOHA saw this and pursued it. The owl went skyward trying to evade the incoming harrier. With sharp nails at the end of its long out-stretched legs, the harrier made an intimidating approach. The owl maneuvered to get out of the way however, the harrier came from underneath and snatched the prey from the owl with one grab. 

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[Kym Fedale Franklin]

Fantastic photos. What an event to capture. Thank you for sharing. 

Kym

On Sat, Mar 9, 2024, 3:09 PM Eric Ellingson <esell...@gmail.com> wrote:

As an SEOW found and grabbed a vole from the field below a NOHA saw this and pursued it. The owl went skyward trying to evade the incoming harrier. With sharp nails at the end of its long out-stretched legs, the harrier made an intimidating approach. The owl maneuvered to get out of the way however, the harrier came from underneath and snatched the prey from the owl with one grab. 

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[Barry Ulman]

Amazing sequence! You were looking in the right direction at the right time.

Harriers are very aggressive birds; they’ll chase just about anything.

Barry Ulman

On Mar 9, 2024, at 3:09 PM, Eric Ellingson <esell...@gmail.com> wrote:

As an SEOW found and grabbed a vole from the field below a NOHA saw this and pursued it. The owl went skyward trying to evade the incoming harrier. With sharp nails at the end of its long out-stretched legs, the harrier made an intimidating approach. The owl maneuvered to get out of the way however, the harrier came from underneath and snatched the prey from the owl with one grab. 

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[Margarette Grant]

Amazing action! Thanks for sharing. 

BTW, be sure to catch the current exhibit at the Light catcher museum: 

https://www.whatcommuseum.org/explore/exhibitions/current-exhibitions/

Seeing the magazine photos are even more fantastic blown up as pictures on a wall.

I'm surprised one of yours isn't there, Eric!

[Martha Dyck]

Wow, incredible pictures! You seem to always be there at the right time.

Martha Dyck

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