If you're interested in using any of these photographs in any way, please contact me. Send an e-mail to naturalhistoryphotos(at)gmail.com. Thanks!

Tuesday, November 7, 2017

Two of the locals

Nice views of two local raptors in the Bodega Dunes today (7 November 2017):


Northern Harrier (Circus cyaneus)




White-tailed Kite (Elanus leucurus)

2 comments:

Lotsoflux said...

I particularly like the Harrier shot. Shows the owl-like facial disk so clearly. I can just see him (?) coursing the fields, staring so intently below.

Jackie Sones said...

Hi!

I agree -- it's hard to see the facial disc of a harrier when they're flying, especially at a distance. So this was a nice opportunity to capture that feature!

Also -- it's possible this is a female, but I'm not sure. The dark rust coloration on the breast indicates a younger bird. Older males become very pale and gray, while older females retain some buffy coloration below. Someone who has more experience ageing harriers might be able to tell for sure, but I'd lean towards this being a female.

:) Jackie