The "Gray Ghost"
Feb 23, 2022 17:51:59 #
Volant Strips, PA 2/21/2022 - just at sunset
The male Northern Harrier, or “gray ghost” is specially designed for silent hunting: Its long, broad wings allow it to cruise low, with minimal flapping, and it moves slowly for a hawk. Northern Harriers hunt using their ears as well as their eyes, and to help them they’ve evolved a special circular arrangement of stiff feathers on their face that collects the sounds of rustling creatures and focuses them on the bird’s ears.
Only adult males are “gray ghosts” with gray feathers on the back and pure white below, with black on the tips and trailing edge of the wings. (text taken from an Audubon article)
The male Northern Harrier, or “gray ghost” is specially designed for silent hunting: Its long, broad wings allow it to cruise low, with minimal flapping, and it moves slowly for a hawk. Northern Harriers hunt using their ears as well as their eyes, and to help them they’ve evolved a special circular arrangement of stiff feathers on their face that collects the sounds of rustling creatures and focuses them on the bird’s ears.
Only adult males are “gray ghosts” with gray feathers on the back and pure white below, with black on the tips and trailing edge of the wings. (text taken from an Audubon article)
Feb 23, 2022 18:18:41 #
Flying Three
Loc: Berthoud, CO
That is one well done photograph. I also enjoyed reading the description.
Feb 23, 2022 18:45:28 #
Feb 23, 2022 18:59:27 #
joehel2 wrote:
Beautifully done, Doug. Thanks for sharing the story also.
Great posting with the commentary and wonderful photo. Thanks for posting it.
Feb 23, 2022 19:02:52 #
Feb 23, 2022 19:12:43 #
Feb 24, 2022 05:29:27 #
Feb 24, 2022 06:40:56 #
Feb 24, 2022 07:33:23 #
Feb 24, 2022 07:35:29 #
Feb 24, 2022 07:50:30 #
Feb 24, 2022 08:42:35 #
Feb 24, 2022 09:59:53 #
mdougc wrote:
Volant Strips, PA 2/21/2022 - just at sunset br Th... (show quote)
Great job. Would love the dl for better view.
Feb 24, 2022 12:23:27 #
Feb 24, 2022 12:51:57 #
If you want to reply, then register here. Registration is free and your account is created instantly, so you can post right away.