A Female Northern Harrier on Antelope Island

 

I almost missed this female Northern Harrier, but luckily I spotted her right in time.  She was resting in the tall dry grass and seemed to be in no hurry to leave this place.

It's interesting, females are significantly larger than males and they usually take a role of the more dominant and larger hunter.

Northern Harriers are migratory birds, and females generally head south slightly earlier than males during migration.

At the end of our meeting the female took off and flew towards me for a few seconds and this was quiet unusual behavior.

The Northern Harrier is known for its distinctive "hawk-like" flight, flying low to the ground in search of prey. 

Generally, life is good.

Female Northern Harrier in Flight

 

Seeing a female Northern Harrier is already a rare luck, even if it is fleeting. 

I noticed a Female Northern Harrier on the side of the road and it seemed that she was trying to deal with her prey. I think it was a mouse.

Unfortunately, I was able to take only one single shot when the raptor took off, but for some reason without prey. Strange, I was one hundred percent sure that the bird would carry it away in its claws.

Generally, life is good!

Female Northern Harrier in Winter

 

At the end of my not so-good trip to the Bear River last week, I spotted a female Northern Harrier on a narrow country road.

Luck is a capricious lady.  That day, I was returning from my trip without a single photograph and meeting the Harrier turned out to be a true gift.

 

Life goes on.