We visited Norfolk Wildlife Trust’s Ranworth Broad over the bank holiday weekend and, as Freya loves boats, booked one of their guided trips.
Our skipper, the lovely and very knowledgeable Maurice, warned us that it had been a bit quiet that day but I was happy just to be on the water with my little family.
Having said that, there was a certain amount of glee when we not only spotted two herons (a family favourite) but then two marsh harriers flying in the distance.
The largest and broadest-winged of the harriers, it was once extinct in this country as a result of habitat loss and persecution. Its population has been slowly and steadily increasing and now more than 100 females nest in Norfolk each year (although it’s still on the Amber List, according to the RSPB).
As we turned back, we spotted this one just sitting waiting for me to photograph it. I’m quite proud that I didn’t accidentally drop Freya overboard in my excitement #parentingwin.
Still holding her with one hand and the camera in the other, I kept snapping away as it spotted its lunch and set off.
They are not the best photos but seeing the marsh harrier in the wild was a thrilling experience – even Freya is still talking about it.
To see what other people have been photographing this week please click on the camera below. I’ll be sharing a full post about Ranworth Broad (including some lovely herons) shortly.
After The Rain 
The fourth and sixth images in this collection are classics. I do love a good bird of prey and whenever I go up to Scotland I try to photograph them but it rarely happens. Difficult images to capture I imagine?
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Thanks, John. I would love to visit Scotland, it’s just sooo far from Norfolk.
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Birds of prey are magnificent to watch, though hovering over our lakes is less welcome!
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Oh yes, I bet.
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The fourth and sixth pictures are stunning, especially with Freya wriggling in your other hand! You are so lucky to see the Marsh Harrier. Maybe a Bittern next time? #MySundayPhoto
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Thank you. I went bittern watching once for work, it was amazing! It’s probably top of my list to see.
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Never seen or heard one but have devoted hours to trying to!
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Stunning photos, bird photos is something I’ve never been able to manage
Thank you for linking up
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Thank you, Darren.
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You have done a much better job than our attempts, it is so difficult to capture when they move so swiftly!
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Thank you. We were quite far away too so it’s at the limit to what my camera can do. So lovely to see them though.
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Hi Tara, what a wonderful series of photos! And how fantastic to get to witness a Marsh Harrier on the hunt. I would most definitely have dropped Freya in my excitement and probably not have picked her up until the bird was out of sight! Excellent photos!
xx
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Hehe, it was a close thing. Luckily she was sat quite still.
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What wonderful photos. You were so lucky to see them and to catch a few excellent shots #MySundayPhoto
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Thank you. A little thrill did rush through me when he pointed it out 🙂
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Wow. These are amazing action shots #MySundayPhoto
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Thank you 🙂
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Tara, they are great pictures for someone holding the camera with one hand. Unlike you I would probably have let go of BattleKid’s hand in my haste to photograph them. #mysundayphoto
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It was a tough call, hehe, luckily she was sat quite still. I did try and get her to sit with Mark but she was having none of it.
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How amazing to see the marsh harrier in the wild and these are beautiful photos of it. I am amazed you managed to take them one-handed! 🙂
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Amazing series! I love the one where he is in flight! I can see movement in every frame =) #mysundayphoto
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Very nice! I’m so glad you got a chance to see (and photograph!) the marsh harrier. Well done!
~Jess
#MMBC
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Ah wow! What great photos 😍
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