Adult Female Northern Harrier On The Wing Over Farmington Bay WMA

Adult female Northern Harrier on the wing – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/6400, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

It has been too long since I have had a Northern Harrier in my viewfinder although I’m now excited because I know that fall and winter are great seasons for me to find and photograph them. The past few summers I have spent most of my time high in the mountains and although I see harriers up that high I don’t seem them as frequently there as I do down in the valleys near marshes. They are called “Marsh Hawks” for a reason.

Just one day shy of one year ago I had an adult female Northern Harrier in my viewfinder as she flew over the marsh at Farmington Bay WMA in a clear blue sky. She was looking for prey while on the wing.

Adult female Northern Harrier fly by over the marsh at Farmington Bay WMA – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/6400, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

When the female Northern Harrier turned in flight she gave me a nice view of the underside of her body and wings. I didn’t have her in sight for long because I was only able to take ten images of her.

I’ve seen a few harriers this fall at Farmington Bay WMA and at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge but so far I haven’t been able to take high quality photos of them. Time will tell whether this will be a good season for photographing these harriers or not.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to view more of my Northern Harrier photos plus facts and information about this species.