Smithsonian magazine's 22nd Annual Photo Contest | Made possible through the support of MPB.com

14th Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Great Harrier Hawk soaring over wheat field

While walking down a country road in central Washington State, I noticed a Great Harrier Hawk soaring above a wheat field. The crop was ready for harvest, the plant stems bowing under the weight of full-grown grain clusters. The hawk is looking down at the understory of the wheat field, hunting for mice and vols. Moments after taking this, he (the bright coloring suggests male) dove into the wheat, but came up without anything in his tallons.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 09.2016
Date Uploaded: 11.2016
Photo Location: Mazama, Washington, United States of America
Copyright: © Ryan Bell