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Liberal_in_LA

(44,397 posts) Sat Jul 25, 2015, 03:01 PM Jul 2015

northern harrier (raptor) passes food to his mate in midair

Incredible pictures taken in California have captured two northern harriers playing catch with a squirrel and a lizard hundreds of feet above the ground.
The fearsome birds, which have a 4ft-wide wingspan, were seen exchanging their prey in a spectacular show of skill rarely seen on camera.
The predatory raptors were a mating male and female enjoying a lunch date - to the horror of their unfortunate prey.
In one photo, a maimed-looking squirrel is released by the male for the female to intercept - presumably to bring back to a nest of chicks.
Another shot shows the lifeless body of a small lizard plummeting downwards as the female prepares to make the catch.
Displaying extraordinary agility, one catch is even made as the female bird flies upside down, turning its claws up towards the sky.
The male harrier will perform this majestic food-delivery service for his harem of up to seven females.
He was spotted in the middle of his duties by US-based programme manager Phoo Chan, 50 at the Coyote Hills Regional Park in Fremont.

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3173473/Today-s-flight-meal-squirrel-lizard-Amazing-pictures-harrier-passing-food-mate-mid-air-acrobatic-display.html#ixzz3gvngBubQ
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8 replies

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Highlight:

northern harrier (raptor) passes food to his mate in midair (Original Post) Liberal_in_LA Jul 2015 OP

Amazing photos! Suich Jul 2015 #1

Birds are wonderful creatures. In_The_Wind Jul 2015 #2

amazing pictures magical thyme Jul 2015 #3

"Next time I'll change flights at the terminal, thanks !" nt eppur_se_muova Jul 2015 #4

Mid-air refueling nt Agony Jul 2015 #5

k&r, n/t area51 Jul 2015 #6

They fly through the air with the greatest of ease. Those daring birds. Hiraeth Jul 2015 #7

That first pic LWolf Jul 2015 #8

Suich

(10,642 posts)

1. Amazing photos!

Reply to Liberal_in_LA (Original post)

Sat Jul 25, 2015, 03:20 PM

Jul 2015

I had no idea they did that!

In_The_Wind

(72,300 posts)

2. Birds are wonderful creatures.

Reply to Liberal_in_LA (Original post)

Sat Jul 25, 2015, 03:25 PM

Jul 2015

Cape May's Bird Observatory is a great place to visit during Fall migration time.

magical thyme

(14,881 posts)

3. amazing pictures

Reply to Liberal_in_LA (Original post)

Sun Jul 26, 2015, 01:10 PM

Jul 2015

but sad for the little bird, the headless squirrel and the lizard.

eppur_se_muova

(42,524 posts)

4. "Next time I'll change flights at the terminal, thanks !" nt

Reply to Liberal_in_LA (Original post)

Sun Jul 26, 2015, 02:39 PM

Jul 2015

Agony

(2,605 posts)

5. Mid-air refueling nt

Reply to Liberal_in_LA (Original post)

Sun Jul 26, 2015, 03:32 PM

Jul 2015

area51

(12,756 posts)

6. k&r, n/t

Reply to Liberal_in_LA (Original post)

Tue Jul 28, 2015, 01:11 PM

Jul 2015

Hiraeth

(4,805 posts)

7. They fly through the air with the greatest of ease. Those daring birds.

Reply to Liberal_in_LA (Original post)

Tue Jul 28, 2015, 01:36 PM

Jul 2015

LWolf

(46,179 posts)

8. That first pic

Reply to Liberal_in_LA (Original post)

Tue Jul 28, 2015, 07:41 PM

Jul 2015

doesn't look like a squirrel or lizard.

It looks like someone's chicken.

As someone whose had chickens taken by birds of prey.

Still, the hand-off is impressive.

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