Nanaimo Estuary Female Harrier 2014
This one is a bit of a crop but I kind of liked the colors. Typical fall scene for this time of year.
Take Off Eh?
A female harrier lifts off at the Nanaimo Estuary.
Female Harrier Fly Past
Got this one yesterday when the sun peaked through for a bit at the Nanaimo estuary.
Evening Harrier
There was some last minute action with harriers at Boundary Bay last night. Interesting colors just a bit before sunset. This shot looks awesome on my new 2560X1440, 27 inch monitor.
Good Camouflage
Cool to see how birds are naturally colored to blend into their environment. I had a hard time spotting this female harrier until I got closer. Have had a couple of people give me the gears about wearing camouflage lately. Don't think I would have gotten this close without it. This image taken at about 45 feet.
Northern Harrier - Brunswick Point Trip #3
Nice dorsal view on this one.
Male Northern Harrier Closeup
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Boundary Bay Grey Ghost
A birding trip to the mainland wouldn't be complete without a visit to my old friend. You can find him most evenings perched at the electrical station in Boundary Bay.
Tag - Your It!
A couple of female harriers play chase at Brunswick Point near Ladner B.C. Probably some sort of territorial dispute.
Northern Harrier Banking
Really like the lighting in this image and the nice golden glow it gives the harrier's plumage. The eye intensity adds a bit of power to the shot too.
Female Harrier Fly By
The short-eared owls were playing hard to get today. However, I managed to get some nice images of the female harrier at close range.
Say "Hi!" On Your Way By (Northern Harrier)
A female northern harrier gives us a casual glance as she glides by us at Nanaimo Estuary. I have often heard it said that harriers are the most owl like of all hawks. You can really see the resemblance in her face.
Prepare For Landing
A male harrier prepares to land on a small post at the electrical compound in Boundary Bay.
Male Harrier Banking
Here is another one from last week. It is a bit of a large crop but I still like the flared tail and the dorsal detail.
Better Eye Contact (Northern Harrier)
They always seem to be looking down. Caught this image in a sequence where the male harrier glanced at us before gliding by while on his hunt.
Grey Ghost (Male Northern Harrier)
Had a short visit at the venue near the end of the day from the grey ghost. I have also heard the term "Grey Ghost" apply to a great grey owl as well. Must be confusing for some people.
The Grey Ghost (Northern Harrier)
Got a visit several times yesterday at the venue by "The Grey Ghost". A rather special male Northern Harrier. He seemed unconcerned with our presence and gave everyone lots of opportunities for some great images. Flickr folks left click for a more detailed image.
Best Eye Contact ( Northern Harrier)
Probably my best perching shot of the grey ghost from our last trip. Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Underside View (Northern Harrier)
Found another harrier image this morning that I thought you might like. Be sure to zoom in for extra detail.
A Different Perch (Northern Harrier)
Here is the grey ghost on a different perch showing more back and tail details. Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Flying at The Camera (Northern Harrier)
The grey ghost (male harrier) flies straight in at the camera only to veer off at the last second. Flickr folks please left click once or twice for better detail.
Coming in Low (Northern Harrier)
On one of his hunting runs the male northern harrier skims low over the marsh weeds as he flies towards the camera. Flickr folks please left click for more detail.
Grey Ghost Back Shot (Northern Harrier)
Natural background and even light.
Female Harrier Portrait
Our trip would not have been complete without at least one nice image of this beautiful female harrier.
Staring Into The Morning Sun (Northern Harrier)
After the fog lifts a female northern harrier surveys the area from the shelter of the dead marsh grass.
A Bit of a Twist (Northern Harrier)
A male northern harrier twists his tail in preparation for a hard bank to his right.
He's Comin Right at Us! (Northern Harrier)
The grey ghost decided to pay a close up visit to us in the marsh yesterday. Folks on Flickr please click twice for full size.
Autumn Leaf Background (Northern Harrier)
A distance away the grey ghost does a quick fly by with a nice splash of autumn leaves in the background.
Cowichan Estuary Harrier (Northern Harrier)
Got a few nice shots of the northern harriers at the Cowichan Estuary yesterday.
Look Into My Eye (Northern Harrier)
Better eye contact on this one.
Harrier Back Shot (Northern Harrier)
Sorry about this one. Still not used to the new camera 🙂
Taken today between the raindrops at Nanaimo Estuary.
Harrier Flight Shot (Northern Harrier)
Taken today at Nanaimo River Estuary.
First Fall Harrier 2021
Had some fun out at Nanaimo Estuary today with the local harrier. Wont be long before raptor season starts.
A Bit of Salad With Lunch (Northern Harrier)
The female harrier manages to pick up a bit of grass along with her freshly caught vole.
Female Northern Harrier
The female harrier was busy when I went to the estuary today. Watched her catch four mice in about an hour period while I was there.
Making Another Pass (Northern Harrier)
If you stand with your tripod long enough and don't change position for a while the harriers will come quite close at the Nanaimo River Estuary. Only took about an hour this time.
Northern Harrier In Flight (Brunswick Point)
The female flew around me on several occasions. Sometimes she would come as close as 30 feet.
Flying Straight In (Northern Harrier)
In this image the female harrier flying almost straight at the camera.
Basking In The Sun (Northern Harrier)
A female harrier stops for a rest in the sun at Brunswick Point near Ladner.
Basking In The Sun #2 (Northern Harrier)
Found another image from our Brunswick Point trip last winter. Slightly different head angle. Always liked the detail on this sequence.
Grey Ghost Fly Past (Northern Harrier)
The "Grey Ghost" came by a few times during the afternoon to say "Hi".
Very Photogenic (Northern Harrier)
Occasionally the male harrier would pause on stumps for us to get a nice perch shot.
Female Northern Harrier
Did a wander down to the electrical station while waiting for the barn owl to show up and came across this female harrier on the fence.
Grey Ghost (Northern Harrier)
Always nice to get a roosting image of the grey ghost when I visit Boundary Bay.
Shooting Into The Light
I was going to discard this photo because of the guy in the background. However on second thought some of you may find this interesting. Can't understand why he is shooting the harrier into the light. Certainly not one of the photographers that I was with.
Female Harrier In Evening Light
The light was a bit harsh yesterday at Brunswick Point. Got this image a bit later in the day when the evening made lighting a bit more even. Lots of female harriers and young ones hunting.
Watch Your Back!
A harrier counter attacks after being harassed by a raven at the Nanaimo Estuary.
Northern Harrier Composite
Here is a bit of artwork that I churned out this morning. It is a composite of two different photographs. Took a male harrier photo from yestereday and combined it with a background from last winter.
High Key Harrier
Here is the male version of a harrier or "marsh hawk". You don't seem to see them as much as you do the females. Some photographers refer to them as "The grey ghost". Probably because they are already past you most of the time before you even realize that they are there.
Female Harrier Fly by
Here is one from last year that I forgot to post. Taken at Boundary Bay at the peak of raptor season.
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A male harrier in flight at Boundary Bay.
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Here is that same male harrier from a bit of a different angle.
Ghost on a Post (Northern Harrier)
A male harrier taken at close range in Boundary Bay. Filtered and re-formatted for landscape.
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This guy was on a log out on the flats at Boudary Bay.
