Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Northern Harrier/Wild Bird

Northern harrier (Circus cyaneus) flying low

It was pure serendipity. I was looking for shore birds...and apparently so was this hawk.

Is that dinner below?

The northern harrier's diet varies, adapting it according to habitat and time of year.  Small to medium-sized rodents, birds and sometimes even adult waterfowl are its tasty victims. Flying slow, northern harriers hunt just above vegetation in zigzag patterns using acoustic clues to make surprise attacks.

Giving me the eye

I am joining Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

46 comments:

Andy said...

Nice shots of the hawk in flight.

Dianne said...

he looks so different still than he does in flight
I love how the background adds to the beauty of his flight

Peter said...

amazing capture, I love birds of prey! So majestic.

MadSnapper said...

amazing and stunning shots, i can see every feather

Buttons Thoughts said...

I seen one of these the other day and had no idea what it was. Thanks Camera girl:) Great shots. B

Paul in Powell River said...

They are a lovely bird to sit and watch while it hunts!

Michelle said...

Nice in-flight shot!

Judy said...

What luck to capture this guy!!

Taken For Granted said...

That Harrier was so cooperative to pose for you. Wonderful photos of a hawk that is rare in my part of the world. Fine to see it here.

rainfield61 said...

Both of you look for birds, but with different aims.

TexWisGirl said...

these are awesome! great job!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

EG these shots are fantastic, moments like these are to be treasured.

Judy said...

Love that top shot!

Brian King said...

Wonderful shots! Very well done!

theconstantwalker said...

Fantastic flight shots...

Randy said...

These are amazing shots.

Unknown said...

Superb nice pictures and so wonderful bird.
Marit of Norway.

Carletta said...

We've both been hawk hunting. :)
Your endeavors are much better than mine. Love that second shot!

Nette Cecilia said...

Great photos ,Nette

carol l mckenna said...

What fantastic captures of nature's beautiful bird ~ ( A Creative Harbor)

thanks for coming by and commenting ^_^

LONDONLULU said...

What wonderful shots and I love that you captured the action so clearly - you've a magic eye!

RedPat said...

What a nice catch - I've never seen one of these!

NatureFootstep said...

beautiful shots of a beautiful bird. The images looks like they are painted. I like it. :)

Adam Jones said...

Fabtastic shots. I love Harriers and watching them hunt.

Craver Vii said...

This post triggered a curiosity to learn how they fly, especially since this name has been given to a series of "jump jets." I watched a few videos, and I think it's so neat how you got to see this live! I like their effortless vertical lifts and also how they drift backwards. Incredible birds!!

mick said...

Great photos - especially the in-flight ones.

Small City Scenes said...

Ahh one of my favorite raptors. I love to see them skimming the open land. Lots of them in the valley or maybe just a few but they get around.
He is giving you the eye for sure. MB

Hootin Anni said...

Beautiful....the colors of the natural background make the bird even more handsome!!!

eileeninmd said...

The Harriers are cool birds of prey. I love to watch them hunt. Great shots.

Unknown said...

Great shots!! Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.

Anonymous said...

Nice shots! It's a beauty!

Deanna said...

Gorgeous captures of a gorgeous bird!!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Wonderful post! I can never get a good flight shot of anything, so I envy that shot -- but the one on the ground is great too...both could be used in a birding book as ID guides. Lovely -- and your karma must be good for that serendipity to happen ;>)

Suburban Girl said...

Beautiful catch.

Carver said...

Great shots of the harrier.

Jenn Jilks said...

How beautiful! You must have been so excited! Serendipity.
Cheers from Cottage Country!

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

What a beautiful bird, he's looking at your like he's thinking about something.

Rohrerbot said...

Very nice!!!! I would have been pleased as punch to get these shots. Most excellent:)

Vores have said...

Great pictures :)

Stewart M said...

Very nice set of pictures - that face disc on the harriers is such a distinctive look.

Thanks for linking to WBW.

Stewart M - Australia

kayerj said...

that is an amazing series of shots!

Darla said...

What a beautiful bird. You got some great shots of him/her going about his business.

Darla

Carolyn H said...

Lovely! The harrier's colors and the fall colors match perfectly, too!

Gunsside said...

Great capture, lovely shots of the beautiful bird ;)

Rose said...

I so love these birds...the strip pits I go to used to have a LOT of them...they do leave and come north in the summer, or somewhere. But over the years, the number that come out there has decreased dramatically. Not sure why.

Red Nomad OZ said...

I'm sure he knew you weren't competing with him for dinner!!

Friends who encourage me

Blog Archive

About Me

My photo
East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.