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The gray ghost moves in for a roadkill meal

January 11, 2023 by Tony

The gray ghost moves in for a roadkill meal
A male northern harrier arrives to dine on a rabbit. (© Tony’s Takes)

Sometimes getting a meal is easier than others. Normally you will find Northern Harriers patrolling drainages, listening and watching for some unsuspecting rodent to make a meal of. They will then acrobatically drop to the ground trying to nab the critter. This is often not successful and takes multiple attempts.

It is little wonder that this male harrier opted for a much easier target, a dead rabbit alongside a remote rural road. I spotted him circling the area so set myself up a ways away, and waited. Sure enough, he flew in for a quick bite and in doing so, gave me this fun shot.

Harriers are never easy to photograph and the males, the gray ghosts as they are nicknamed, are even harder. This image gives a nice look at that beautiful white and gray plumage and those piercing yellow eyes.

Video slideshow – top shots 2022: Raptors

December 28, 2022 by Tony Leave a Comment

Beautiful and yet vicious, whether a falcon, hawk or eagle, raptors are amazing creatures and the kings and queens of the skies. I don’t know how many different species of them I have photographed but there have been quite a few from North America’s smallest falcon, the American kestrel, to one of its biggest raptors, the gorgeous golden eagle.

Northern harrier flyby

December 18, 2022 by Tony

Northern harrier flyby
A female northern harrier performs a flyby. (© Tony’s Takes)

Just a pretty lady against a beautiful, blue Colorado sky. I almost missed her as I was focused in the opposite direction watching some eagles. I spotted her out of the corner of my eye and quickly swung around, grabbing a sequence of her as she flew by.

These are really cool hawks but not easy to photograph due to them usually flying just above ground level making it hard to get a lock on them. Their owl-like face with stiff feathers forming a ring around their head helping to direct sound to their ears, allowing them to hunt by hearing as well as sight.

You will oftentimes find them in open land, particularly near drainages, flying low and fast with their heads down as they look and listen for prey.

Female northern harrier gives a picture perfect flyby

November 8, 2022 by Tony

Female northern harrier gives a picture perfect flyby
A female northern harrier patrols the Colorado plains. (© Tony’s Takes)

While these cool hawks are in Colorado throughout the year, it is during the colder months that I most often see them. This beautiful female was hunting a field this past weekend and gave me some nice shots as she flew by.

These raptors are pretty cool with an owl-like face with stiff feathers forming a ring around their head helping to direct sound to their ears, allowing them to hunt by hearing as well as sight. You will oftentimes find them in open land, particularly near drainages, flying low and fast with their heads down as they look and listen for prey.

A female northern harrier patrols the Colorado plains. (© Tony's Takes)
A female northern harrier patrols the Colorado plains. (© Tony’s Takes)
A female northern harrier patrols the Colorado plains. (© Tony's Takes)
A female northern harrier patrols the Colorado plains. (© Tony’s Takes)

The gray ghost patrols the plains

April 9, 2022 by Tony Leave a Comment

Video slideshow – top shots 2022: Raptors
A male northern harrier, the gray ghost, flies by. (© Tony’s Takes)

I haven’t done too well in recent months getting pics of these elusive, hard to capture raptors. Last weekend, one finally cooperated.

Northern harriers are quite common here in the winter but their low flying erratic flights make them difficult subjects. For whatever reason, the males (aka the gray ghost) are elusive and not as often willing to stray close to people.

This particular one was hunting a drainage along the road. I positioned myself well ahead of it, hoping it would continue on its path and give me some shots and indeed it deed. I just love that gorgeous gray and white plumage and of course there are those brilliant yellow eyes.

Snow? Again?

February 12, 2022 by Tony Leave a Comment

Snow? Again?
A female northern harrier sits in fresh snow in Boulder County, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

I’m not sure if this pretty female northern harrier was annoyed with the snow or me taking her picture while sitting in it. Well, I reckon given the reaction I get from critters, we can guess it was me. 😉

Taken last month, I spotted her as she sat in a field in Longmont, Colorado. She really didn’t mind me at all and let me grab quite a bunch of pictures of her hanging out before taking flight away from the camera.

Female northern harrier on the hunt

January 18, 2022 by Tony Leave a Comment

Female northern harrier on the hunt
A female northern harrier performs a flyby in Adams County, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

A quick capture from a fleeting sighting of this hawk this past weekend. Driving along, I spotted it as it hunted along the shores of a pond. I quickly raced ahead, hoping to it as it flew directly by. Of course, it had other plans and flipped a u-turn at which point I grabbed this shot as it departed.

Prairie falcon steals a harrier’s meal

January 10, 2022 by Tony Leave a Comment

A young female northern harrier stands guard over her rabbit kill. (© Tony's Takes)
A young female northern harrier stands guard over her rabbit kill. (© Tony’s Takes)

Saturday I posted a photo slideshow of this encounter and promised I would later post some individual pics of the action shown in it. Here you go. These give you a closer look at some of the incredible action that took place. I definitely would recommend checking out the slideshow here too if you haven’t.

The northern harrier performs a ninja move as the prairie falcon attacks. (© Tony's Takes)
The northern harrier performs a ninja move as the prairie falcon attacks. (© Tony’s Takes)
Photo slideshow: Harrier vs Prairie Falcon
The prairie falcon attempts to grab the rabbit. (© Tony’s Takes)
Being unsuccessful on the first attempt, the prairie falcon dives for a second but pulls up at the last second. (© Tony's Takes)
Being unsuccessful on the first attempt, the prairie falcon dives for a second but pulls up at the last second. (© Tony’s Takes)
The prairie falcon circles for a third attempt. (© Tony's Takes)
The prairie falcon circles for a third attempt. (© Tony’s Takes)
Prairie falcon steals a harrier’s meal
Success! The prairie falcon nabs the rabbit from the harrier. (© Tony’s Takes)
The prairie falcon loses its grip on the meal. (© Tony's Takes)
The prairie falcon loses its grip on the meal. (© Tony’s Takes)
The harrier recovers its meal and was then able to eat in peace. (© Tony's Takes)
The harrier recovers its meal and was then able to eat in peace. (© Tony’s Takes)

Photo slideshow: Harrier vs Prairie Falcon

January 8, 2022 by Tony Leave a Comment

Well, this was one awesome encounter! I happened across this young female northern harrier as it was eating some rabbit leftovers.

As I was photographing it, the harrier suddenly leaped into the air and out of nowhere a prairie falcon appears and tries to steal the rabbit! It wasn’t successful on the first attempt so it circled for a second try, pulling up at the last minute.

The falcon was not done though. It circled for a third and final try and this time, success! As it flew off with the rabbit remains, it began to lose its grip, eventually dropping the meal to the ground. The thief decided it was all too much effort and continued on, giving up, while the harrier flew over and was able to finish its meal in peace.

While some of the pics aren’t all that great, it was a ton of fun to see. As there were so many pics to tell the story, I figured a video slideshow would be the best way to present them. Best viewed full screen. I will share some of the standalone images later today.

Male versus female northern harrier

December 20, 2021 by Tony Leave a Comment

Male versus female northern harrier
A male northern harrier performs a flyby. (© Tony’s Takes)

My photo excursion Saturday was not as eventful as I would have hoped but I did get some decent captures of these cool hawks allowing me a chance to showcase the difference between the two genders of the species.

Male northern harriers are oftentimes called the “gray ghost” due to their gray plumage and piercing yellow eyes. The coloring of females is entirely different with brown plumage and while not as striking as the males, they are beautiful in their own right.

They both have an owl-like face with stiff feathers forming a ring around their head helping to direct sound to their ears, allowing them to hunt by hearing as well as sight. You will oftentimes find them in open land, particularly near drainages, flying low and fast with their heads down as they look and listen for prey.

Harriers are very difficult to photograph due to their low flight path and erratic patterns but also very fun to watch.

A female northern harrier on the hunt. (© Tony's Takes)
A female northern harrier on the hunt. (© Tony’s Takes)
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