![\"northern](\"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/02\/northern-harrier-7524-ron-dudley.jpg\")
<\/p>\nThis is another image of the harrier with an unusual tail feather (I posted a different photo showing this feather on Jan. 21).<\/p>\n
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1\/\/2000, f\/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon<\/em> EF100-400mm f\/4.5-5.6L IS USM +1.4 tc, canvas added for composition,\u00a0not baited, set up or called in\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n I photographed this bird as it was hunting along the Antelope Island causeway on January 20.\u00a0It’s\u00a0common for harriers to have two darker central tail feathers but this bird has only one, indicating that it was damaged and replaced out of the normal molt cycle. I like the light, the\u00a0good look at most of the dorsal plumage, the flight posture and the light but I do wish for more light in the eye.<\/p>\n I took this image with my old 100-400mm lens and attached 1.4 teleconverter\u00a0while my 500 f\/4 was in the shop and before I purchased the new version of this lens.\u00a0It was a reminder that even that older lens with the tc attached is capable of taking some pretty decent photos.<\/p>\n I’ve been posting a fair number of harriers recently and part of the reason for that is that bird photography opportunities are unusually limited around here right now.\u00a0I believe that a primary reason (though not the only one) for the lack of opportunity is our recent extended period of alarmingly warm weather. I\u00a0saw 73 degrees Fahrenheit yesterday and we surpassed the previous Salt Lake City\u00a0record (set in 1886) by\u00a04 degrees. And that pattern continues. Many of our migratory raptors (including Bald Eagles) have apparently left the area and it’s too early for most migrants coming north.<\/p>\n There’s virtually no ice left at the refuges,\u00a0the snow level on the mountains is receding fast and things are already greening up in the valleys. Hardware\u00a0Ranch Wildlife Management Area<\/a>\u00a0has actually had to announce that due to a lack of elk and snow (they use sleighs to haul visitors to the elk herd)\u00a0they\u00a0will have to close for the season tomorrow.\u00a0 Usually they remain open until March.<\/p>\n I really don’t like this weather pattern.<\/p>\n Ron<\/p>\n \n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" This is another image of the harrier with an unusual tail feather.<\/p>\n