Northern Harriers are relatively easy to spot this time of year (and actually, most of the year) at the Ridgefield NWR. They are favorite subjects of photographers because they spend much of their time patrolling the grasslands at a low altitude looking and listening for prey. This makes them quite accessible if you can get them in the right light. Pictured is a female Harrier preparing to surprise what is likely an unsuspecting rodent. Taken with a Canon 5D Mark III, 1/1000, f5.6, ISO 3200, Canon 400mm f5.6L lens. The weather was low clouds and even some fog around, which is why I used ISO 3200.
Check out more Harrier and raptor shots in my Birds of Prey Gallery. Be sure to go back to older entries in the gallery, too!
Beautiful shot! Fabulous profile and background colors! 🙂
Thank you, Kimi! Glad you liked it!