What inspired man to take flight? I had a flash of inspiration this afternoon while watching two Northern harriers joust in the golden light of the setting sun at the Mercer Meadows Pole Farm.
Watching two female Northern harriers playing on the steady breeze over the main fields brought to mind Icarus, who in Greek mythology strapped on wax wings and took to the sky.
Icarus flew too high, and the sun melted his wings, sending him to his doom. The harriers today were not beset by such. They soared and dove, twisting around one another every few minutes as I watched in awe.
I had my camera trained on them for much of the time, most of it with them flying at a distance that outstripped my ability to get a crisp, well-lit shot. But I did manage to get a few shots of the two of them in one frame. At one point, they circled above me, but for most of my half-hour visit they flew in the distance.
Three other harriers were dashing about, including a “gray ghost.” I managed one mediocre shot of him, but there was no doubting that I’d ID’d the male of the species.
The harriers were the only birds I spotted. Every other critter was hunkered down, as far as I could tell. But no matter — watching the harriers at play was worth the time. I took away a few mediocre photos and stirring memories. 🦅
The Jersey Birder 