"Short-eared Owl vs Grey Ghost"
A Northern Harrier swooping in to steal a vole from a Short-eared Owl is a perfect example of aerial piracy and the constant competition for survival.
Harriers are incredibly agile, and their low, gliding flight makes them well-suited for such surprise attacks, while Short-eared Owls are known for their acrobatic maneuvers.
Shots like this require lots of focus and concentration. Before this moment, I saw the owl diving towards the field in an attempt to catch the vole. The light was not consistent; the sun was coming in and out of the clouds. Due to the distance to the owl and tall grass, I wasn't able to pick up the focus on the owl that was taking off with the vole from the marsh right away, but just seconds after, I'm glad I did, because the grey ghost appeared from nowhere in an attempt to steal the shorties' dinner. And he did succeed. It is incredible to watch these two species competing and fighting for survival in the same habitat...
Camera: Canon R5II + 600mm f/4 IS III USM + extender 1.4x 1/3200 seconds, f/11, ISO2500 (840mm cropped)
