A male Hen Harrier in my garden

The bird I’d most like to photograph is a Male Hen Harrier. There’s been one on Westray on and off for the last week. He’s an immature male, still with some brown feathers left after the rest have emerged as a beautiful pale grey.

As I walk out of my house I look across the fields and can see a male Hen Harrier low over the grass. He’s heading my way. I sprint to the car and grab my camera. I run to the back of the house and hide behind the side wall, focussing on it as it approaches. It’s going to come through my front garden and then directly in front of me. I’m going to get the photograph of a male Hen Harrier I’ve always wanted.

It’s currently in front of my distant neighbour’s house.

It’s getting closer and closer. My camera’s set up perfectly for this very moment. It reaches my garden and then sweeps to the left, going behind the other end of my house and out of sight. If I’d positioned myself at the other end of the house it would be right in front of me now. I see it climb up the hill at the back and then sweep majestically away.

Missed it.

That was magnificent.

Next time.