Nature Photographers Network
This is the preserved archive of the original Nature Photographers Network. The community continues at naturephotographers.network.
Northern Harrier
‹ PreviousAvian GalleryNext ›

Northern Harrier

by Ron Dudley

Gallery: AvianPosted December 6, 2010388 views34 comments
I believe this to be the first full frame flight shot I've ever posted. The downside to that is the fact that I had no more room at bottom - wish I did.

7D, 1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 11/30/10, full frame, very slight exposure adjustment in ACR, sharpened bird, no additional processing or adjustments, natural light, not set up or baited

Larger image provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

34 comments
Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 6, 2010 at 6:36 PM
Mega pixels maxed out! Does not get any better than this IMO. A bit tight on top and bottom, yes, but who really cares with an image like this. The detail in the bird and the dynamic position of the bird with awesome light just takes over. Great BG elements as well. I don't know about other avian photographers, but this is what I strive for. Full frame. This is the example of the difference FF or very small crops means to detail versus medium to large crops. As you know, I know how hard it is to get a flight shot like this. Total envy here Ron. A lot of skill and hard work on demonstration here. More than well done. Way to go!
Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments
Comment posted by Alan Murphy on December 6, 2010 at 6:37 PM
Wow, full frame! You just got everything in the frame. I was going to say it's a bit tight, but considering, I'd say this rocks.
Registered on December 3, 2003, 192 Posts, 739 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 6, 2010 at 6:55 PM
Very impressive! Wish I had taken this. Excellent detail, or course. This must have been a heart-stopping experience.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Moore on December 6, 2010 at 7:24 PM
Amazing!!
You should have pulled your truck over a few feet! You gotta think ahead. :toast:

As always -very well done!

Dan

Dan
Registered on February 11, 2010, 143 Posts, 1248 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on December 6, 2010 at 7:30 PM
Great Take Off Ron :cool:

Ken Archer
Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments
Comment posted by Charles Gangas on December 6, 2010 at 7:34 PM
Just outstanding Ron. What a moment it must have been, you must be walking on air with this image, congratulations. PS-I like the new logo! :toast: :toast: :toast:
Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments
Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on December 6, 2010 at 7:44 PM
Very sweet, Ron; you got the whole bird. Great to have the full frame and take full advantage of your camera's resolution. Nicely captured. :smile:
Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 6, 2010 at 8:03 PM
Top flight shot of this species....add in hoar frost and forget it!
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Balke on December 6, 2010 at 8:46 PM
Beautiful one, Ron: dynamic pose, color, detail, background are all great. I differ with Ron B. about the desirability of a full frame image. My view is that with the 18.1 MP of the 7D you can afford to crop quite a bit before losing detail, unless you are talking about a very large print. Even then, software can help so much to maintain resolution. The price of full frame is less flexibility in composition. I like to be able to try different compositions using cropping. Anyway, in this case I think the composition you posted is beautiful. I don't feel the need for more room at the bottom. :toast: :toast:
Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments
Comment posted by Rohn B. McKee on December 6, 2010 at 9:01 PM
Really nice Ron.
Were they sticking? The frost on the BG plants says yes.
Registered on November 18, 2008, 109 Posts, 415 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 6, 2010 at 9:20 PM
PS-I like the new logo!

Thanks Chuck but I should give credit where credit is due. Mia designed and produced it for me. I couldn't believe how much work it was for her and I'm very happy with it.
Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments
Comment posted by Angela McCain on December 6, 2010 at 10:49 PM
Quite possibly the most awesome image I have seen. Great detail in that bird from top to bottom. The iced foliage for a background just tops it. BRAVO.
Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments
Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on December 6, 2010 at 11:52 PM
That's pretty awesome, Ron! The detail in the larger version is amazing! As far as the comp goes, it is a bit tight on both the top and the bottom, IMO. But, it would be very easy to add canvas to the top, and then perhaps it would not be so tight. I really think that the trade-off of comp for all that detail is worth it. Very nice!
Registered on August 16, 2007, 199 Posts, 2132 Comments
Comment posted by Howard Cheek on December 7, 2010 at 6:27 AM
Looks like you managed optimal settings, with an optimal outcome.
I will say yes..Perhaps some room bottom would be better..
But the birds looks so good FF, who cares ;-)
Beautiful image Ron, wish this was mine :toast: :toast:
Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Marquart on December 7, 2010 at 8:18 AM
Amazing shot Ron, nice pose and background. Another example that nice photos can be taken in sunny conditions. The shadow on it's left wing dosen't bother me at all and the bright conditions allowed you to crank up the shutter speed to freeze the movement and use a smaller aperture ( larger f stop number ) for more depth of field. Way to go!
Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments
Comment posted by Wayne Willison on December 7, 2010 at 8:34 AM
Wow, Ron. I like everything about this image, right down to those curled talons. You mention being close to the bottom of the frame, but the bird is flying low along those snow covered branches, which to me makes it a perfect place to be. Congrats on the full frame. Excellent.
Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments
Comment posted by Bill Maile on December 7, 2010 at 9:58 AM
Holy amazing Ron, just a spectacular image! You're obviously correct about the bottom, but as someone said, "who cares" with this shot!
Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hackley on December 7, 2010 at 10:49 AM
Always nice to get those full frame images. My eyes went up and down checking out the wing span, feathers, those yellow claws and then to the eyes before I noticed how tight it was, great job, well done.
Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments
Comment posted by Avi Hirschfield on December 7, 2010 at 12:08 PM
Ron asn excellent flight shot with exceptionall texture and detail in the wings and those talons OUCH :wavey: :wink:
Registered on November 1, 2003, 518 Posts, 2114 Comments
Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 7, 2010 at 1:09 PM
Ron,

As you know from our discussions about this image I love it as posted. The background, look at the eye of this female harrier, the view of the underside of the wing and talons a really just great.

IMO if you had to crop this as much as I did my last kestrel post the details would not be so pronounced, full frame or nearly full frame show far more detail. I would not print my recent kestrel photo large because of the crop. My opinion about crop sizes does differ from Steve B's, I want to get as close to full frame as I can, allowing for some adjustment in comp if needed to retain all possible details.
Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments
Comment posted by Darren Colello on December 7, 2010 at 1:50 PM
Wonderful detail, wing position and setting. Stellar as usual. Well done. :toast:
Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments
Comment posted by KC Choo on December 7, 2010 at 2:39 PM
Incredible, Ron! Your reaction time is unmatched!
Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments
Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on December 7, 2010 at 5:28 PM
Brilliant camera work Ron, fair play, this is in a class of it's own :smile:

Geoff.
Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments
Comment posted by Dottie Short on December 7, 2010 at 6:10 PM
This image is just breathtaking! I like the BG as much as the Harrier. It's tight but plenty of room on the side that counts. You should be very proud.
Registered on April 12, 2010, 61 Posts, 375 Comments
Comment posted by Michael Lotito on December 7, 2010 at 6:12 PM
Spectacular flight shot Ron! :toast:
Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Olsen on December 7, 2010 at 6:16 PM
Ron,

I'll jump on the list of those saying WOW on this photo. The detail and clarity of this Harrier is amazing! Then add on the difficulty of getting this in the frame??
:toast: :toast:
Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments
Comment posted by Sally King on December 7, 2010 at 9:51 PM
Incredible to get this full frame and nothing sticking off the frame. Excellent details and great background too.
Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments
Comment posted by Robbie Knight on December 8, 2010 at 1:39 AM
Just read the other posts. Nothing to add except for thanks for sharing awesome flight shot !
Registered on April 10, 2010, 30 Posts, 135 Comments
Comment posted by Karen Summers on December 8, 2010 at 6:54 AM
That was my first though to tight but full frame is great, it is still a lovely image though detail and setting is lovely
Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments
Comment posted by Monica Siri on December 8, 2010 at 11:20 AM
Absolutely no nits from here, Ron. I like as posted. Extraordinary capture. :toast:
Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments
Comment posted by Giorgio Gregori on December 8, 2010 at 5:40 PM
Congrats for this excellent shot Ron .
Can't imagine a better setting .
Giorgio
Registered on November 16, 2007, 87 Posts, 793 Comments
Comment posted by Lindy Martin on December 8, 2010 at 7:37 PM
Love it Ron!! It is a bit tight but I am definitely envious of this one. Gotta love the way that truck of your's acts like a bird magnet!!! :wink:
Registered on March 10, 2009, 60 Posts, 169 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 8, 2010 at 11:06 PM
Gorgeous, Ron. I understand the desire for a touch more room at the bottom, but this is still superb. Just pick the right matting and print it life size! :toast: :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on December 8, 2010 at 11:33 PM
Very special shot Ron

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