It's not every day that a juvenile Northern Harrier flies so close that it fills the frame of my camera but that is what happened yesterday at Whitewater Draw. We had parked by a small pond just outside the Draw to see if any ducks were around when this young raptor emerged from the brush at the far end of the pool. Soaring first high into the sky and then banking in our direction he headed straight towards us, following the right side of the ponds berm. My experience has been that raptors fly away from me, but I guess this bird was either too young or too brazen to care. Completely ignoring our presence he sailed, eyes down, with hunters focus on the ground. At the last minute, he pitched in our direction and flew right by our car. It was the closest I have ever seen one in flight.

Southern Arizona is a never ceasing wilderness adventure. I am blessed to live here and grateful for the chance to share it with others.
Shoot Date: November 27, 2018
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Shutter priority ¹⁄₂₀₀₀ sec at f/6.3 0 EV
Lens: TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011 @ 600 mm
ISO: 400