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On my girlfriend and I's 2.5 hour day trip, we were passing through Jacksonville and over the KCS branch that runs up that way. What do you know, the local was backing some cars around the loop at Bartlett Grain! We diverted from the interstate and I scoped out some spots not too far off the path. With my mid-range lens being out of commission, I had to really think on spots. I also didn't know what track speed was (40?) and it ended up sneaking up on me at Woodson! I'll know that for next time.
Anyways, a pair of KCS "Gray Ghost" GP38-2s were on the head end of this train, hence the title "Haunted Woodson." It is always a treat seeing these bruised and battered grays as KCS turns to the "Belle" scheme as their norm. The crew also had their AC on full blast (wide open door and windows) since it was a nice and humid day as this area reached a 100+ heat index.
They call adult male northern harriers “Gray Ghost”. Smaller than the females, but much like them, these hunters glide over the marshlands to pounce on their surprised prey from the air. That’s reason one for their nickname. Reason two is how many fewer the males are than the females. I see females often when I’m hanging out in harrier territory. The bird in this photo is only the second adult male I remember seeing in the last ten years of my photography career.
Fun fact; Northern Harrier fossils dating from 11,000 to 40,000 years ago have been unearthed in northern Mexico.
While working against the wind, I watched this beautiful male Northern Harrier (aka Gray Ghost) maneuver about over the hillside. Happy the wind brought him a bit closer to me than typical so he could check me out, and visa versa.
San Luis Obispo, CA.
Last shot (for now) of the Northern Harrier. It was being mobbed by Red-winged Blackbirds, sometimes being harassed by three or four simultaneously while patrolling its (presumed) breeding territory. Such is the life of a raptor.
I made this shot while hiking a trail in Grasslands - at this point the Grey Ghost had not yet singled me out as a threat and begun its threat maneuvers (dive bombing me, as documented in my two previous posts). I'm pretty happy with it. These aerial encounters happen fast and even shooting in burst mode there is no guarantee of getting both subjects on the same focal plane and in a pleasing configuration.
Two or three more species left in the current set, then on to something else...
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.
A Gray Ghost hunting the fields of Morgan County, Georgia. They only visit Georgia in the winter months, so it is a treat to see them.
J42 crosses over Camden with an eclectic lash up, consisting of KCS GP38-2 2022, CP SD40-2 6063 & SD30C-ECO 5031. The train had just finished making a set out of stacks in Shoreham.
It's been five years since I've photographed a Northern Harrier, and this is my first male! I love their owl-like faces.
Taken this morning in Ottawa.
This beautiful male provided multiple opportunities for fun (and some close) photos yesterday. The late afternoon light was perfect when he gave us a nice flyby.
This male harrier was shot in the wild.... non zoo, non baited, non raptor show!
On the far right is the 'down arrow'- click on that to open 'original' size... click 'open' on original size and then hit F11 on keyboard for full screen effect...
Gray Ghost - Male Northern Harrier, my favorite bird!
The "Gray Ghost" refers to the adult male Northern Harrier, a raptor known for its distinctive pale gray plumage and elusive hunting style.
The adult male Northern Harrier is often nicknamed "Gray Ghost" due to its ghostly appearance and spectral aura.
Males have a bluish-gray upper body and white underparts, with black wingtips.
They are known for their low, buoyant flight style, gliding just above the ground while hunting.
Northern Harriers are found in open habitats like grasslands, marshes, and fields across North America.
Northern Harrier is also known as the Marsh Hawk or ring-tailed hawk
Southern Alberta, Canada.