The female of the species

After several weeks of trying, I finally got close enough to a Marsh Harrier to get a decent shot of it.  I actually saw both a male and a female Marsh Harrier today, but only got close enough to this one.  I came back from today's safari with 360 shots the vast majority of which I've now reviewed and deleted.  But this one I'm pleased with - and if you have time it is better viewed large.  

The Marsh Harrier is largest of the harriers, and the females are larger than males - their wingspan can reach 130cm that's over 4 feet in old money, so they're every bit as big as a buzzard.

The RSPB web site reckons that there are around 400 pairs in the UK, which is better than it was, so they are now an Amber List species.