The Gray Ghost On Antelope Island
The male Northern Harrier is called the “gray ghost” for good reason, particularly on Antelope Island
Tag: circus cyaneus
Northern Harrier In Flight Over The Great Salt Lake
Occasionally a Northern Harrier will come in close to the photographer as the hawk hunts the narrow confines of the causeway to Antelope Island.
Blurred Wings In Flight – A Matter Of Taste
There are three primary schools of thought when it comes to blurred wings in flight – not ever, they don’t bother me and it depends on the image. I fall in the latter camp.
Northern Harrier Kiting Against A Mountain Backdrop
Wind can be an issue when photographing birds in flight but at times it can also be your friend.
Harrier In Flight With Reflected Light From Snow
When I’m in the field I sometimes curse the snow but for bird photographers that white, messy stuff can often be a blessing in disguise.
Grumpy, Wet and Cold Northern Harrier Drying Out
This is a look and pose I’ve noticed fairly often from Red-tailed Hawks in conditions like this but I rarely see the same from a harrier.
Surprise Harrier
Usually when I photograph Northern Harriers they are my intended goal. Yesterday morning this bird was an exception as it caught me completely unprepared.
A New Northern Harrier Behavior (for me)
Harriers have been a common subject for me over the years so I don’t often notice something new about them. Recently I did and the following three photos illustrate my point.
Flight Shots, Habitat And Depth Of Field
I’ve said before that plain sky backgrounds in flight shots aren’t my preference. But habitat in the background provides its own challenges for the photographer.
Male Northern Harrier In Flight
Male Northern Harriers in flight have always been one of my favorite subjects. Throw in a menacing stare from those lemon-yellow eyes and you have every chance for an image that holds your attention.
Northern Harrier On A Mission
Typically Northern Harriers in flight studiously avoid my vehicle but occasionally (very occasionally) one will continue to circle and come in quite close. On the rare occasion when this happens I always wonder why.
Male Harrier In Flight On A Four Layered Background
For me the background can sometimes be almost as important as the bird. In this case it’s probably because I identify so personally with what’s back there, even though it’s all out of focus. This place is where I cut my photographic teeth years ago.
Northern Harrier Flight Sequence
Eight days ago I photographed a Northern Harrier as it flew toward me at an angle and then banked away. The following day, because of time constraints and computer issues I posted only a single shot of the banking maneuver but now I wish I had posted the entire flight sequence of four images. With your indulgence for posting the same image twice I’ll do just that this morning.
A Shot I’ve Been After For A Long Time…
I hope you’ll forgive me back to back posts on the same species but there’s a shot that has eluded me for years and yesterday I finally got it.
Northern Harrier Showing Food Source Adaptability
Last winter Northern Harriers really struggled to survive here in northern Utah. For several months it was bitter cold with a thick layer of snow on the ground which made it close to impossible for our wintering raptors (including Barn Owls) to find and catch their typical prey – voles. So harriers were forced to look for other food sources, including small birds. Songbirds are relatively scarce here that time of year but this harrier got lucky.