Mind the gap. After spotting a few hawks on the drive to Rodeo Lagoon, I was greeted by this head-on Heron when I stepped out of the car.

This one is nice larger - click the image.

A worthy opponent. My photo nemesis. The "grey ghost." A male Northern Harrier is the one bird I want most to get a great picture of in the wild. This one flies by with an enormously full crop - perturbed from restful repose on a bush by an intruding Red-tailed Hawk. The female was also in the neighborhood.

At one point they flew in vast soaring circles calling to each other repeatedly. "yip yip yip yip yip yip yip" The male's vocalizations were deeper and between 7 and 10 "yips." The female averaged between 12 and 20 consecutive "yips" at a higher, harsher frequency. Click here for a grainy photo of the male Harrier calling in flight.

Another shot of male and his distended crop. I think I arrived about 20 minutes after the meal.

As the sun departed the moon took its place in the eastern sky.