Raptor Rapture: I rediscovered my photography mojo - Road Trip Day 1
Better viewed large (in my opinion) - but i couldn't bear to crop him too much.
Driving along the Sturt Highway (at speedlimit of 110 km/h) and I noticed this guy land in the long grass by the road so pulled over and grabbed camera from passenger seat and prayed he'd still be there. I spotted him, and swung camera up just as he decided to take off.
My 365 malaise has lifted, it seems I needed a change of scenery.
I don't have my bird book with me, and looking online I have not yet worked out what he is, well other than beautiful that is ...After looking at a heap of bird sites and images online he may well be a juvenile Brahminy Kite - I'm not positive though.
Addendum - @bobfoto has suggested it may be a square tailed kite and I think he's right, then again he could be a whistling kite (except the barred tail feathers look wrong for them) or even a "little eagle"
@bobfoto sorry, I meant square tailed kites are listed as vulnerable in Vic and NSW. I just love seeing the raptors and getting this close was fabulous
@bobfoto yeah I thought he could be a Whistling Kite - except I can't find any pictures of them with the barred tailed feathers) or even a Little Eagle - I may have to ask the experts at a birding website - thanks for the help speculating
Just came across this debate re ID of this lovely bird shot. I think it's a Spotted Harrier. There's a fairly bad pic of one here that's got its tail spread like yours https://geoffpark.wordpress.com/2010/08/22/three-ducks-and-a-harrier/ but some better ones on other sites. Will also tag @bobfoto for his opinion on this.
