A Short-Eared Owl, a Harrier and a Vole

By Sean Crane | Published January 23, 2013

In addition to snowy owls, there were also short-eared owls at Boundary Bay, as well as plenty of harrier hawks. The two didn’t like each other very much and they were constantly trying to steal each other’s lunch — in this case, a vole. The harrier attacked the owl in mid air and the battle was on. As you can see in the third picture, the owl came out on top and was able to retain rights to a hard fought meal.
Nikon D800 with Nikkor 200-400mm lens (at 290mm) ISO 1000, f/4 at 1/1250th of a second

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31 Comments

Posted January 23, 2013 at 5:46 am by tina | Permalink

It is amazing how you captured these action shots! I am so happy the owl won!

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Posted January 23, 2013 at 7:07 am by Mom | Permalink

Amazing….you really ARE the best, Sean.

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Posted January 23, 2013 at 7:18 am by Rachel | Permalink

Amazing footage! Gives a great sense of their agility in the air.

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Posted January 23, 2013 at 9:11 am by clark Anderson | Permalink

Wow! You’re still my hero.

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Posted January 23, 2013 at 9:44 am by GH | Permalink

Either way the vole looses.

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Posted January 23, 2013 at 9:52 am by Shardae | Permalink

Wow. That is intense and amazing! Poor Vole!

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Posted January 23, 2013 at 10:08 am by Tom | Permalink

A gentle reminder that nature is NOT kind. Great shot Sean. )

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Posted January 23, 2013 at 11:54 am by Justin | Permalink

impressive

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Posted January 23, 2013 at 12:42 pm by Amanda D. | Permalink

Wow, just amazing!!! Nature is incredible!

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Posted January 23, 2013 at 2:43 pm by Herpétologie | Permalink

Very beautiful work and nice website with Photocrati !!

Jérôme Herpetofocus

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Posted January 23, 2013 at 3:31 pm by Salina | Permalink

this is insane sean! I absolutely love love love it.

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- Posted January 23, 2013 at 4:35 pm by Sean Crane | Permalink
  
  Thanks Salina. It’s tough out there on the battle fields of Boundary Bay.
  
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Posted January 23, 2013 at 11:38 pm by Phyllis Fitzsimons | Permalink

Holy Mackerel…utterly incredible and spectacular images!! Just incredible documentation of nature’s chain and life. I truly cannot get over the emotion captured. My God the claw which so looks as a hand around the voles neck as he is a pawn between them, helpless…
You Sir are a master!

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Posted January 24, 2013 at 6:40 am by Curt Hart | Permalink

The third shot is my favorite. Outstanding photography!

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Posted January 24, 2013 at 8:32 am by Rita Maldonado | Permalink

Wow…this is simply spectacular! I am so grateful that there are photographers such as you in the world….and that you share your work with us. May you be blessed with a long and happy life, Sean!

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Posted January 24, 2013 at 2:41 pm by John Sessa | Permalink

Speachless!!

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Posted January 28, 2013 at 8:58 am by Mary | Permalink

Wow

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Posted March 5, 2013 at 8:16 pm by Sue Cloutier | Permalink

Absolutely the best series ever. You have talent that I appreciate. Your work with your craft shows in these fine photographs!

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Posted March 5, 2013 at 10:33 pm by Ken Copen | Permalink

Incredible pics, well done

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Posted March 5, 2013 at 10:47 pm by Ed Nicholles | Permalink

Absolutely stunning!

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Posted March 6, 2013 at 12:44 am by dragonflydreams88 | Permalink

BRILLIANT!!!

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Posted March 6, 2013 at 2:59 am by Nora Hernandez | Permalink

Wow great shots Sean. Amazing photos it’s so real as if I’m standing next to you watching this horrible but fascinating scene. It’s so true about animals being in the wild you have to be the strongest to survive. Poor vole. Thank you for sharing Sean I’d like to copy this pics to put them in my wall is that ok? Best wishes

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- Posted March 6, 2013 at 7:14 am by Sean Crane | Permalink
  
  Thanks Nora, I appreciate it, and yes, please repost. There’s a button under the photos to do so.
  
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Posted March 6, 2013 at 10:20 am by Stan Tekiela | Permalink

This is so good I would suck your balls for the RAW files.

Stan

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- Posted March 6, 2013 at 10:51 am by Sean Crane | Permalink
  
  What do I get for an animated gif?
  
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Posted March 6, 2013 at 10:41 am by Matt | Permalink

You realize that people have been stealing these images and its all over facebook. Your shots are that great. lol

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- Posted March 6, 2013 at 10:52 am by Sean Crane | Permalink
  
  Thanks Matt,
  I’ve been getting an awful lot of hits on this post. As long as it links back to my page, share away.
  
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Posted March 6, 2013 at 10:34 pm by George Heritier | Permalink

Sean, I am one of those who shared these on Facebook, and the link does indeed lead right back to this page. Wonderful shots, congratulations!

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- Posted March 6, 2013 at 11:08 pm by Sean Crane | Permalink
  
  Thanks George. I appreciate the re-post.
  
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Posted March 7, 2013 at 10:04 am by KaSandra | Permalink

That is amazing and hilarious all at once so spectacular and great pic’s!!!

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Posted March 13, 2013 at 3:54 pm by George | Permalink

Truly fantastic work!!

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