Teased again . . .

Last week I wrote of a brief encounter with what most probably was a Northern Harrier. I couldn’t state so definitively, having failed to identify that bird’s distinctive characteristics. Thus, I was left with a hunch.

One of the characteristics that evaded my scrutiny last time was the harrier’s black-tipped wings. In fact, I closed last week’s post with a vow:


“If given another opportunity to see this bird, I’ll be sure to look for the white rump and black wingtips. A lesson I’ve learned from this failed effort!”

Can you guess where this is all leading? If you think to another possible harrier sighting, then you’re right! On Tuesday, driving along 53 North outside of Philipsburg, I was treated to two raptor sightings. The first, high in the blue sky, was a large, pale raptor with long white wings—heavily tipped in black. Not only that but this raptor was being escorted by three overly eager and noisy crows.

Then only moments later, still wearing a smile, I see yet another bird of prey sailing high across the afternoon sky—a Cooper’s Hawk, I suspect. I intended to post on the Cooper’s Hawk this evening but couldn’t access a Public Domain photo (my favorite site for these photos was “down). Well there’s always next week.

So until then, enjoy another photo of a male Northern Harrier. And remember to keep birds in your heart!

Georgia Anne