When I spotted this raptor flying over a distant field earlier this week at Occoquan Bay Wildlife Refuge, I suspected that it was a Northern Harrier (Circus hudsonius). Although I do not see this species very often, Northern Harriers fly in a very distinctive way—they glide low over grasslands and marshlands, in part because they rely on their sense of hearing when hunting.
I was a little disappointed that this harrier, which several folks in a Facebook birding group identified as a female, made only a single pass over the field and never flew very close. However, I am pretty happy that I was able to capture this image that gives you a good sense of the flight profile of the harrier and the environment in which she was flying.
© Michael Q. Powell. All rights reserved.
Very nice capture. Too bad there was only one pass. I was extremely fortunate last year to catch this:
https://amagablog.com/2018/12/04/happy-hunting-harrier/
In my research I determined that this is indeed a female.
Wow. Those are amazing shots. I hope I have the chance to see one hunting like that from a reasonable distance away–getting shots would be a bonus. 🙂
I could not get over the stroke of good fortune for days. Thank you very much. Right place. Right time.