I had the incredible opportunity to witness and capture the grace and beauty of a female Northern Harrier in flight at the Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge in Oklahoma. Accompanied by another wildlife photographer, we carefully parked our vehicles at opposite corners of a nearby field to observe and photograph this stunning bird without disturbing her.
With my camera at the ready, I patiently waited as the Harrier took off in a swift and effortless motion. It was a breathtaking sight to see this raptor in action, skillfully navigating the air currents in pursuit of her next meal.
As she dove towards the ground, I was wondering what she had caught. Unfortunately, I was unable to see what it was from my vantage point. I watched as she landed low in the brush, hidden from my view as she devoured her catch.
While I may not have captured every moment of this amazing experience, the photos I did manage to take will be cherished forever. The Northern Harrier is a fascinating bird to observe, with their distinctive white rump and owl-like face. It’s important that we continue to protect and conserve these magnificent creatures and their habitats so that future generations can witness their awe-inspiring flights.
Here is a Northern Harrier I photographed at this Refuge: Juvenile Northern Harrier
Gear Used:
- Camera: Canon EOS R7
- Lens: Canon RF 100-500 mm F4.5-7.1 L IS USM
Technical:
- Location: Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge (Oklahoma)
- Date and Time Taken: February 28, 2023 (09:18 A. M.)
- Exposure Mode: Manual
- Aperture: f8
- Shutter speed: 1/3200
- ISO: 1250 (Auto)
- Focal Length: 500 mm