The Gray Ghost
by Bryce W. Robinson
Northern Harrier- Circus cyaneus. 11×18″ Prismacolor on Bristol.
Deneb Sandack has been involved with the Goshutes Raptor Migration sight in some way or another since its inception in the early 80’s. For many years she has acted as the lead bander at the sight, going above and beyond to ensure that the sight runs smoothly and achieves its goals each season.
Her passion for trapping birds is unmatched. I admire her greatly for this passion. Over the years she has trapped and processed thousands upon thousands of birds. Each year she returns to the mountain with hopes of trapping what is her personal white whale, a bird that has evaded her tremendous luring and trapping skills for years. This bird is the Gray Ghost, the adult male Northern Harrier.
The Gray Ghost, a name known among raptor enthusiasts and birders alike. Termed such because of its ghostly gray plumage, and intense yellow eyes. It hunts just above the ground, floating along in search of prey, reminiscent of a specter in search of a soul. A truly remarkable and mystifying creature, very deserving of its super natural epithet.
Because the male Harrier is the single regular migrant that has avoided capture by Deneb all of these years, I thought it prudent to honor her and her goal by illustrating the bird. This bird is for her, as my tribute to her hard work and dedication, and hope that next season at the Goshutes Raptor Migration Sight she finally pulls the Gray Ghost from the sky.
ornithologi.com 
This is lovely.
Thanks Mia. I love these birds.
Undoubtedly one of my favorite birds. I had never heard them called a Gray Ghost until I went to Texas a few years ago and have loved them since. So majestic!
They are one of the most fascinating raptors to watch. Certainly deserving of their nickname.
A wonderful tribute to Deneb, Bryce. And I really enjoy your rendering of that unique harrier facial disc. Loved your “specter in search of a soul” line, too. I’ve always wondered if another reason the males are referred to as the “gray ghost” might be because juvenile males look so much like females to the untrained eye that many folks think males are relatively hard to find, like ghosts…
I’ve never thought of it that way Ron, but it sure makes sense. Thanks for the compliments.
Hey Bryce, hope you don’t mind but I featured your sketch on my blog today for my Birding Thursday post. Hope you’re doing well!
Don’t mind at all Melissa. Hope you are the same, or better!
I guess I should be lucky that I’ve gotten as many of these birds as I did. As a fellow trapper I know how aggravating and frustrating it could be waiting and hoping for that one bird. I have a lot of posts to read up on since coming back from the tropics!
Yes Jackie, you are lucky! Welcome back.