A Marsh Harrier harrying the waterbirds

There’s a distant Marsh Harrier across the water at RSPB Lodmoor. I’ve seen some wonderful photographs of it that were achingly close. I’m hoping for a similar experience today. It’s still a long way off.

Marsh Harrier - RSPB Lodmoor - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

I spend some time walking around the water and the marsh, yet it’s never close. It’s getting later in the afternoon and the light is getting poor. Whenever I look out, the Marsh Harrier is where I would have been if I’d just stayed still.

Then I see it.

Marsh Harrier - RSPB Lodmoor - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

It’s in shadow but it’s flying towards me:

Marsh Harrier - RSPB Lodmoor - The Hall of Einar - photograph (c) David Bailey (not the)

Then it’s gone again.

I don’t like any of the photographs I’ve taken. Next time I’ll sit in the perfect place, with beautiful light, and wait for it to come to me. Sometimes you’ve just got to stop chasing things and let life come to you.

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