Female Northern Harrier ~ Friday Photos

By Mia McPherson, on February 17th, 2012

Just a simple image taken yesterday of a female Northern Harrier flying along a road for today’s Friday Photo.

Female Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus) in flight
Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 314mm, natural light, not baited

Harriers fly with great ease, it seems almost effortless to me. This female was coursing along a road in search of prey and gave me some great views of her pale yellow eye and the bold barring under her wings.

Mia

More Northern Harrier images

Additional posts you might enjoy:

Burrowing Owls - Friday Photos

Coyote in a hilltop

Juvenile White-crowned Sparrow - Very Small in the Frame

Coyote on a snow-covered hillside

Burrowing Owl juvenile on a Sagebrush

Antelope Island State Park, Friday Photos, Northern Harriers, Utah   Antelope Island State Park, bird photography, birding, birds, Circus cyaneus, davis county, female, flight, flying, Mia McPherson, nature, Northern Harriers, utah, wildlife photography  

18 comments to Female Northern Harrier ~ Friday Photos

• Julie Brown

  February 18, 2012 at 5:57 am · Reply

  Beautiful and majestic, as usual, Mia.

  • Mia McPherson

    February 18, 2012 at 11:59 am · Reply

    Harriers are beautiful birds. Thanks for commenting Julie.

• Elephant's Child

  February 17, 2012 at 5:49 pm · Reply

  I tracked you down from Ron’s blog. This is a truly beautiful photo of a bird I will probably never see. Thank you.

  • Mia McPherson

    February 18, 2012 at 11:51 am · Reply

    Thanks so much for the comment on this Northern Harrier. Ron has mentioned you to me a few times and I had subscribed to your RSS feed some time ago. I love seeing your images because they remind me of my trips to Australia.

• Tammy Karr

  February 17, 2012 at 2:55 pm · Reply

  Harriers are such beautiful raptors! It’s great to experience a clear, crisp close up view with your great photo.

  • Mia McPherson

    February 17, 2012 at 3:48 pm · Reply

    Thanks so much Tammy. Harriers are beautiful raptors!

• Bob Zeller

  February 17, 2012 at 2:39 pm · Reply

  You are right, she certainly looks a ease. Great photo again, Mia.

  • Mia McPherson

    February 17, 2012 at 3:40 pm · Reply

    Thanks for your very kind comments Bob!

• Prairie Birder

  February 17, 2012 at 11:56 am · Reply

  Very beautiful Mia!

  • Mia McPherson

    February 17, 2012 at 12:13 pm · Reply

    Thank you kindly PrairieBirder, they are beautiful birds.

• Julie G.

  February 17, 2012 at 10:12 am · Reply

  I am in awe of your great talent, Mia! Magnificent capture of a stunning raptor!

  • Mia McPherson

    February 17, 2012 at 12:12 pm · Reply

    Thanks so much for the wonderful comment Julie, as bird photographers I think we have stunning subjects!

• Earl

  February 17, 2012 at 7:27 am · Reply

  Beautiful Exposure. I think I will get that lens next purchase.

  • Mia McPherson

    February 17, 2012 at 12:12 pm · Reply

    Thank you Earl! I’ve never had a single regret for purchasing the 200-400mm VR, it works great!

• judy watson

  February 17, 2012 at 6:48 am · Reply

  There was one flying yesterday and I just could not get a shot. The sun was on it and so beautiful. I want that photo! I’d pull ahead and stop and just couldn’t get it. darn it.

  • Mia McPherson

    February 17, 2012 at 12:10 pm · Reply

    Northern Harriers are fun but a challenge to photograph, about the time you get locked on they turn or dive or look away! You’ll get that shot Judy, I’m confident about that.

• Steve Creek

  February 17, 2012 at 6:13 am · Reply

  A great capture Mia!

  • Mia McPherson

    February 17, 2012 at 12:08 pm · Reply

    Thanks Steve, I love photographing Harriers!