Northern Harrier

Gallery: AvianPosted December 16, 2010138 views14 comments

While shooting all the usual suspects at Brazos Bend the other day, I noticed this Northern Harrier heading toward me on a pretty high fly over (thanks to Richard Ditch and Cindy Mead for help with the ID since this is a new one for me). I swung my lens around and managed to capture a couple of frames. This is the best of the bunch and while there is no drama in the BG, I like the wing position and the slight head turn toward me. This is a rather large crop, but I think it holds up pretty well (33% of full frame).

7D
600 MM
1/800 @ F7.1
ISO 400
Tripod with Wimberley head

Please feel free to offer your comments and critiques - they are greatly appreciated.

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 16, 2010 at 10:35 PM

It's very difficult to get a nice flight shot of this species... considering the crop you did an excellent job. Detail drop-off is to be expected, but exposure looks good and light on the eye is there.

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on December 16, 2010 at 10:42 PM

Nice image of this harrier in flight. I like the detail in the wing. I saw him the other day when I was there, but never got close enough to get a decent image-good job by you.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Olsen on December 16, 2010 at 10:53 PM

Two thumbs up for this one!
Nice feather detail.

Registered on October 19, 2006, 306 Posts, 1571 Comments

Comment posted by Andy Shepherd on December 17, 2010 at 4:14 AM

It's a good looking shot of a gorgeous bird, and the detail has held up well considering it's such a large crop. Nice one, Randy.

Andy...

Registered on September 24, 2006, 123 Posts, 1254 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Summers on December 17, 2010 at 6:06 AM

Well caught of a difficult bird to capture

Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 17, 2010 at 9:25 AM

Nice job on this shot Randy. The detail around the face is lacking due to the large crop, but that is to be expected. It still looks nice. The only other thing I would deal with on this shot is the halo around the bird. Eliminate that and you will have a stronger presentation IMO.

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

Comment posted by Sally King on December 17, 2010 at 9:50 AM

Gorgeous for such a large crop. Love the headturn and the downbeat wings.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Bob McQuade on December 17, 2010 at 1:34 PM

Very nice. Like the wing position and eye contact.

Registered on October 8, 2009, 214 Posts, 432 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on December 17, 2010 at 3:26 PM

Very nice indeed, I especially like head-turn and eye contact.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 17, 2010 at 7:47 PM

I think this is about as well as it can be done with that large of a crop Randy. Nice wing position and the slight head turn makes a big difference. I'd definitely deal with that pronounced halo.

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

Comment posted by Derrick Lipinski on December 17, 2010 at 8:33 PM

Nicely captured flight shot, Randy. Head-turn and wing position are great too.

Registered on October 5, 2007, 58 Posts, 2039 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on December 17, 2010 at 10:57 PM

I like the outstretched body and extended wings. He has his eye on you. It does look good for the big crop!

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Dusty Veideman on December 18, 2010 at 12:01 AM

Everyone has said all the things I wanted to say but these species are a joy to photograph!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 295 Posts, 547 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 18, 2010 at 8:35 AM

Very nice pose and eye contact of this young harrier Randy. Due to the large crop there is a bit of loss of detail and I also see the halo, I'd work on that to show this image at its best.

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