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Male Northern Harrier, the Gray Ghost out hunting for a bedtime snack. This is the closest it has been to me this year and it was at 4:42 p.m. while waiting for the Short-eared Owl. Pole Farm, Mercer Meadows, Lawrence Township, NJ.
Think we startled this guy, it startled us for sure. While walking on the road, behind a large bush, this guy shot right at us from the other side. The Ghost spotted us and shot straight up in to the sky, like some fighter pilot. It circled around the field for a while and eventually got some what close to us again.
One of my nemesis birds - I usually see the female Northern Harriers, and juveniles too, at this magical wild life area, but only once ever have I seen the male, the elusive "gray ghost". Today makes twice.
Male Norther Harrier
The common name, Harrier, is from the Old English word "herigan" and means to harass or plunder. That they did. They were relentless on the owls.
The Gray Ghost
Male Northern Harrier
(Circus hudsonius)
The Pole Farm, Mercer Meadows Lawrence Township, NJ
While looking at the reported Say's Phoebe, I spotted this beautiful Gray Ghost by my car. I just love these striking male raptors. He was hunting voles while I used the car as a blind. These are the only hawk-like birds known to practice polygyny (one male mates with several females). It was ironic today because I got the worst Say's Phoebe photo of my life (on par with my Tufted Duck shot on Wednesday) and my best of this species to date. This is why I love birding, you go out looking for a target and find something else even better.
Northern Harrier (male)
This fella put on a super show for us this day. I started feeling bad for him. After many, many attempts at a meal, he came up dry over and over again.
Lawrenceville, NJ
A male Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius, aka gray ghost) flies over the frozen grassland of Maxwell National Wildlife Refuge in northern New Mexico, patrolling for any oblivious small rodents or birds. This refuge has lots of waterfowl and raptors in the winter months and during the spring and fall migrations. The wide open spaces broken by volcanic plugs and mesas provides a lovely landscape to birdwatch.
Note the owl-like disk surrounding the eye, which serves to focus sounds to their ears, an important part of harrier's ability to detect prey.
This is the BEST shot of a male Northern Harrier (Gray Ghost) that I have EVER gotten! Only took ten years, but patience pays!
©R.C. Clark: Dancing Snake Nature Photography
All rights reserved - Pima County, AZ
*Peace*Love*Conservation, #canonphotography
An adult male Northern Harrier hunting over a field with a few flakes of snow
Town of Northumberland (NY)
Male Northern Harrier
(Circus hudsonius)
The male Harrier better known as the Gray Ghost showing off his colors as he banks to swoop low to the field in hopes of finding a meal. The Pole Farm, Mercer Meadows NJ.
I accidently flushed this guy from his (hidden) breakfast. In fact, I flushed more than one raptor as it was beside the dirt road of this wildlife area. I stopped to see what the attraction was -- an unfortunate duck, already well defeathered. So I moved the rolling blind a decent distance away and, sure enough, harrier came back.
Northern Harrier "Gray Ghost"
A shot at quite a distance and after several visits, I finally found it but the harriers were barely flying.
Wonderful fly by from Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius )
For once it was nice to be ready and get a close pass...and have the light right.
I couldn't believe my eyes! The Grey Ghost circled me two or three times against the blue sky, then swooped down in a targeted run directly at me. It veered up at the last minute, only a few feet above my head. Very close.
I've never seen this behaviour from a Northern Harrier, normally a fairly shy raptor. An aggressive display like this could only mean its nest was close by, so I decided to get off its territory and return along the trail. Well... the hawk "attacked" me nine or ten times, just like this. I kept my head on a swivel, lest it come at me from behind. I even gave up thoughts of photos, and when it came at me I raised my camera and telephoto above my head, effectively becoming two feet taller and forcing the harrier to break off a little higher.
Eventually the trail dipped down a small hill, the raptor lost sight of me, and didn't follow. I had to admire its fearlessness. It wasn't the "encounter" I was hoping for, but it was certainly intense.
Photographed in Grasslands National Park, Saskatchewan (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2023 James R. Page - all rights reserved.