Saturday, October 31, 2009

Northern Harrier at Camas National Wildlife Refuge

This afternoon I drove out to Camas National Wildlife Refuge to get some pictures and materials for a newspaper article.  It was exciting, but with low clouds and patchy fog, the pictures were not as sharp as they should be.  I saw porcupines, white-tailed deer, hawks, blackbirds, and many waterfowl. 
Here a flock of Trumpeter swan take off from one of the ponds.


But the most exciting was calling in the Northern Harriers.  There were 14 of them working the marshes so I hid in the bull rushes and started calling with a preditor call.  Several harriers looked for the squeeking mouse and this one actually tried attacking me.
Here she comes in hell bent for election.


She finally pulls up because she cannot see the rodent.


She continues to look as I continue to snap pictures of her as she glances at me.

                                             

She keeps circling as she looks for the rodent as I continue to call and shoot pictures.



Just another wild day in Idaho.

12 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Sounds like you had a great day, Bill. That Northern Harrier is a gorgeous bird and you got some great shots.
Betsy

Sunny said...

You capture the pictures I can only dream of taking. Amazing!
Sunny :)

Ms. Fiddlesticks said...

I love those big birds. Saw a hawk flying over head today, circling, a wonder if he saw a mouse.
DF

Frostbite and Sunburn said...

Gorgeous catch of the harriers Bill - great photos!

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Bill: Oh so tricky, neat captures of the hawk.

Loran said...

What a great way to get some good pictures!

And no thanks to the ice fishing. Do you use an ice house? My husband made one for his dad and someone stole it! So rude.

Secret Mom Thoughts said...

Great capture of the harriers.

Janie said...

Beautiful photos of the harrier. I didn't know you could call them in with rodent sounds! Cool.

Nina said...

Beautiful photo's. What a magnificent bird. Your capture of her is wonderful. And the swans, they are so graceful once they're in the air or in the water considering how big they really are. I'm glad you had a successful day. Love and Light, Nina P

Grayquill said...

Those harrier pics left me in awe... The variety of the creation - amazing.

Jann said...

Awesome! But... I'm jealous! :o)

Mary Howell Cromer said...

What a wonderful experience you had in your visit, and the photographs are quite exceptional as well.