The Gray Ghost against the starkness of the Great Salt Lake and its mudflats.
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
In March of 2015 I had left Antelope Island for home and unexpectedly came across this male Northern Harrier hunting near the shore along the causeway. The Great Salt Lake is often beautiful but when the weather is blustery it can turn the water from a glorious blue or green to a much grayer color that most folks find less attractive. The lake can be seen at the top of the frame with some of the “barren” mudflats below it.
It’s a stark setting for a beautiful bird but if you’re a fan of the lake and familiar with it like I am (here in Utah many folks are neither and that’s too bad) that combination in a photo like this one immediately rings true in a good way.
Some may wonder why a vole specialist like this harrier would bother hunting here because there’s obviously no rodents in the water and virtually none on the seemingly barren mud flats.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
But 4 frames later the harrier descended so we can now see where voles are found – in this vegetation that was below the bird in the first shot. There’s quite a lot of plant growth from here all the way up the sides of the causeway to the road so especially at certain times of year voles abound there. And so do harriers, particularly along the eastern half of the causeway and on both sides.
Most plants cannot survive near the extreme saltiness of the lake – that saltiness combined with our current drought and water mismanagement by the state of Utah (particularly the latter) produces the extensive mud flats.
Both Rough-legged Hawks and American Kestrels have learned to hunt voles here too so that part of the causeway during certain seasons can be fertile hunting grounds for the birder and bird photographer.
But at other times of the year there usually isn’t a raptor to be seen in the area.
Ron
Wonderful flight shots Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Even on a screen my heart soars to see this beauty. How wonderful (to those of us who are not voles) to see them in the flesh.
Glad you liked them, EC. Thank you.
A beautiful serene bird, in my mind. I always enjoy seeing the Great Salt Lake. It offers beautiful scenery in spite of the issues…too bad.
Thank you, Ron.
Thank you, Alice. Much of that scenery is truly unique.
There is so much to love about these shots! Even though I know what to expect, there’s something about seeing raptor wingspans that give ma a little shiver of surprise and delight. I think I’ve noticed something new to me as well (and I’m hoping it isn’t because of the angles of the shots) — as he’s using that wonderful fanned tail as a rudder, it appears that the primaries on the same side are more spread and curved than those on the other wing.
Exactly, Marty – that’s one of the primary functions of the tail. Thank you,
Beautiful pictures and being native Idahoan from the Snake River banks I still love the Great Salt Lake. I’ve seen in all the seasons and from north, south east and west. in the air as well and I find it fascinating. Your sharp eye does you much credit and the pictures are very artistic.
Betty, I have relatively little experience on the west side of the lake but I’m much more familiar with it in the other 3 directions. We’re lucky to have it here but some folks want it to wither away, which is exactly what it’s doing now.
Great shots Ron!
Thanks, Ken.
Ron – do you ever feel that Harriers possess some sort of unique “obscuring” capability that prevent them from being photographed as sharp as other birds? Eagles, owls, songbirds often come out tack sharp…but those Harriers…they always seem to have a level of softness to them that I don’t find/see with other birds. Wonder if you ever feel the same way. Great GG pictures…always hard to find and always a pleasure to see.
My issue with them is somewhat related but different, Zaph. Whenever they feel the slightest threat in flight (a vehicle or someone on foot) much more than any other bird I know they deliberately fly between me and the sun which puts them in bad light. I’ve always wondered if they do it instinctively – so they have better light on (and a better view of) the potential threat than the “threat” has on them.
If I’m driving down the road with the sun on my right and approach a harrier in flight on my left it nearly always flies to the other side of the road. Grrrr!
It’s frustrating as hell and they’re consistent about it.
That said, these aren’t the sharpest harrier photos I’ve taken…
I love the monochromatic look of the first photo. Northern Harriers are incredibly beautiful birds. I get to see a pair of them here during the winter, and am always happy when you post photos of them. I hate it that the state government has mismanaged the water supply. Sometimes government is incredibly stupid (and not really governing at all)…
That’s good to know, Susan – that monochrome l look doesn’t appeal to everyone. I tend to like them though.
Those eyes……. One of the reasons raptors are my favorite😊
I’ve been having some awesome encounters with our Bald eagle family. Love them raptors ❤️
Have a great day❗️
Yup, the eyes of the adult male – pretty special. Thanks, Diana.
Beautiful bird in a beautiful, if dreary setting! 🙂 It all “fits”. Have only seen the Great Salt Lake flying into/out of Salt Lake City – mixed feeling about it fore sure! Love the cere matching it’s eyes…..:)
A lot of folks have those “mixed feelings” about the lake, especially when they can smell it. I actually don’t mind that smell at all.
Ron, very nice pictures. other comments say it so well. Sad about the Salt Lake water. I remember going by the Lake in the 1960’s and you could it from the highway. Would hate to see it now.
Trudy, back in the 80’s the lake actually went over the RR tracks and I-80 west of SLC. It’s so very different now.
Good morning Ron. Excellent photos. Xavier beat me to using the word determined. That Harrier is definitely on a mission. Thanks for the Great Salt Lake information as well. I’ve been to SLC on business trips and Park City to ski, but have never really seen the lake except for the plane.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
That lake is absolutely unique, Everett. I love it but not everyone does and it takes a while to get to know it intimately, a process that continues for me. Thank you.
Although I haven’t yet seen the Great Salt Lake, I have seen the Dead Sea on multiple occasions, so I know what you mean about water color and the mud and saltflats as well. Great shots, it’s always nice to see shots of harriers, because they are only winter birds where I am… I do also like the seeming determination in his eyes in those shots.
Thanks, Xavier. We’re lucky in that we usually have harriers in abundance all year long.
There is no mistaking that white rump patch nor that flying pattern. The moniker ‘Gray Ghost’ certainly fits. 🙂 I’ve only seen Great Salt Lake once and it was a dreary dismal day so the colors were as you described…the salt flats were surprising…I was not prepared for that barren look I guess. It gives a nice background for the male in your photos. I’m patiently awaiting the arrival of these birds this fall; they seem to accompany the ShortEar’s arrival and departure times around here. There was a male that stayed much longer than the rest this spring; perhaps because the hunting was so good. Some days I’ve seen as many as seven harriers in an afternoon outing. The marsh and surrounding area I frequent is a favorite site for hunting for both of them and I do enjoy the sitting and watching them cruise over the marsh.
Yup, they’re a joy to watch in flight, Kathy. I first became enthralled by them back in the day at Bear River when they were still called Marsh Hawks and those memories are still with me.
Because of the drought, and water mismanagement by the state, the mud flats are likely much more extensive now than when you were here. It’s sad.