Northern Harrier

Gallery: AvianPosted November 29, 2009261 views18 comments

I hope I haven't posted too many harrier images for you lately but most of the year they are few and far between around here so I've got to shoot them when I can. Besides, most other interesting species are slim pickings right now anyway.

This bird was hunting along the road this morning and looked up just long enough to give me eye contact for this shot. I do wish I had just a sliver more room at top but I don't.

7D, 1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, cropped to 55% of original image, shot from pickup window on 11-29-09, not baited

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on November 29, 2009 at 7:48 PM

Ron, this is super as usual. Nope, personally I could never see too many harriers. I love the eye contact, the light, and the great BG. Well done. I see you shot this with your 40D. Did you abandon the 7D?

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 29, 2009 at 7:54 PM

Oops! Thanks Ron. Nope, took it with the 7D. It's just that I've typed 40D in here for so many years now that my "creature of habit" instincts got the better of me.

I corrected my techs.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on November 29, 2009 at 8:03 PM

No problem, I am glad this was taken with the 7D. I am having good success with mine after only 3 days.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on November 29, 2009 at 8:45 PM

You guys are killing me with these harrier posts! When I have the brief moment of sunshine here in the PNW, there are no birds! However, when it is gloomy and overcast (like normal) they are everywhere! Excellent shot, Ron. No nits from me.

Registered on August 16, 2007, 199 Posts, 2132 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on November 29, 2009 at 8:49 PM

Superb (as you already know!) I really appreciate flight shots that have habitat behind them rather than a plain blue sky!! This really gives a sense of how and where this creature lives. The eye contact is wonderful and the white patch is perfectly bright without being blown. I am not sure you need a sliver on top. One alternative would be to frame a little tighter with a touch off bottom and front and it should be perfect!

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on November 29, 2009 at 9:03 PM

I'll let you off posting all the Harriers Ron, if you indulge me with a few Brown Creepers

This one is very nice !

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on November 29, 2009 at 9:08 PM

Excellent - very sharp.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Graham on November 29, 2009 at 9:24 PM

The eye contact is great, well done as usual Ron :)

Registered on August 22, 2006, 842 Posts, 2824 Comments

Comment posted by Ted Swem on November 29, 2009 at 9:25 PM

This image is exquisite. In the larger image, one can see the rictal bristles around the bird's bill, and the underwing coverts (especially the longer axillaries with the chocolate-colored markings) are just perfectly lit and exposed and displayed. The lighter feathers that rim the facial disk are also very evident. Nice work, Ron. An adult female- you captured her beauty wonderfully.

Registered on August 19, 2006, 15 Posts, 90 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on November 29, 2009 at 10:20 PM

I won't ever get tired of harrier images as they are such an amazing bird and so hard to photograph. I think this is the best flight shot of one that I've seen and it held up to the large crop. The light on the eye is just beautiful. Amazing there is a little motion blur with such a high SS but it doesn't bother me at all

- Luke

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on November 30, 2009 at 4:50 AM

Another beauty Ron - nice eye contact and wing position

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on November 30, 2009 at 9:13 AM

Nice flight shot. Keep them coming.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Darren McKenna on November 30, 2009 at 10:53 AM

These are one of my favorite raptors, nice light and good eye contact with her. I always enjoy viewing Harrier's.

darrenmckenna.com

Registered on October 28, 2008, 31 Posts, 214 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on November 30, 2009 at 2:00 PM

Great eye contact! I'm envious. Excellent sharpness and exposure of whites too. But I keep going back to the eye ...

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Mervyn Dublin on November 30, 2009 at 11:29 PM

Wow! Nice timing! Love the Dof! Great detailing too.

Registered on September 23, 2009, 42 Posts, 110 Comments

Comment posted by Ron McCombe on December 1, 2009 at 2:42 AM

Hey Ron

Fabulous picture I wish I could get as close to raptors here in the uk
Lovely sharp image fabulous eye detail

Well done

Ron

Registered on November 16, 2009, 190 Posts, 207 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 1, 2009 at 5:47 AM

Ron,

The bird is exquisite as is the background and your techs. Love the great view of the eye, the wing position and the overall warm tones in the image.

An excellent image as posted.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on December 1, 2009 at 6:34 PM

I tried to comment on this yesterday, but the NPN server may have been going through the transition. I like it very much and wish I had something this close in quality. Given that you have no space left at the top is somewhat of a bummer for me, as personally I feel that a fair amount of real estate would have presented the environmental aspect of the comp a little better. Just my opinion, but in terms of compositon the bird seems a little cramped, but fine techs and work all the same.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments