Standout spotted among raptors

Standing out among raptors near Orient Station lately, an industrious Spotted Harrier (Circus assimilis) quartering low for quarry to spook from long grasses and flooded hymenachne.

Bird has received cool reception from resident pairs of Brown Falcons and Black-shouldered Kites, and local Black Kites, but aerial exchanges too far off for worthwhile pictures.

But here's a Black Kite (Milvus migrans) coming a bit closer along the highway at Cattle Creek the other day.

And this young White-bellied Sea-Eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster), perhaps in second-year plumage, showed up with a sibling and an adult (presumed parent) this week.