Northern Harrier 
Squaw Creek Natural Wildlife Refuge
Northern Harrier,male in dive.
Northern Harrier,male.
Gliding Northern Harrier
Harrier peeking through the tall grass
They call the male Norther harrier The Grey Ghost because he's so illusive. Now you see him, now you don't. I was later than I wanted to be getting out to the park, but as soon as I pulled my car off I saw this guy. He let me chase him for the better part of thirty-minutes, after weeks of either not seeing or just getting a fleeting glance. 

Harriers don't perch and hunt, like most raptors, instead, they fly low across a lot of ground swooping back and forth and sometimes hovering when they suspect that prey is underneath them. You can follow a little on foot, but I find that jumping in and out of my car is the only way to cover as much ground as needed.
northern harrier: Circus cyaneus, Russell Road, female
Northern Harrier, Adult Female
120625_91A2753
Northern Harrier
Squaw Creek Natural Wildlife Refuge
Northern Harrier 
Squaw Creek Natural Wildlife Refuge
Northern Harrier
Squaw Creek Natural Wildlife Refuge
See photo in original gallery.