Northern Harrier

Gallery: AvianPosted February 25, 2011232 views26 comments

I had such a great time with these birds in Utah, so I thought I would share another one. This is full-frame, no crop. I like the detail and the color tones. As always thanks for looking. Please view the larger version for max details. Not baited, or harassed into coming close. Just waited in the same spot for hours for this bird to come in close. Finally did.

Canon 1DM4
500mm + 1.4x TC
ISO 800
1/1600s
f/6.3
Full-frame, no crop
Manual exp.
Hand held
No NR

Comments

26 comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 25, 2011 at 9:31 AM

Beautiful comp without cropping is a real accomplishment for capturing this bird in flight, Ron. Great pose: excellent view and viewing angle. Sharp where it counts: head area and somewhat beyond. The wingtips are slightly less sharp, likely because of DOF. I'm not sure if a slightly smaller aperture would improve the image or not. Anyway, it's such a lovely image I hesitate to even suggest a nit.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on February 25, 2011 at 10:01 AM

Great job of getting this FF female Harrier Ron! I don't contain the same patience as you...as a result, I still don't have Harrier shot I am happy with....these birds like to tease me into thinking they are flhying towards me and then change their course last second

Happy to see they were nice to you and great technique getting this one. I don't mind the wing tip blurs...provides a sense of motion and the detail on the head looks real nice!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 25, 2011 at 10:07 AM

what a beauty, Ron. great light on the bird and in the eye, great sharpness and detail, classic harrier bg, and full frame--can't ask for much more than that.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Nancy Lea Sandy on February 25, 2011 at 10:18 AM

great flight image, Ron, Very nicely done

Registered on January 24, 2011, 576 Posts, 6942 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Huff on February 25, 2011 at 11:27 AM

Nice shot Ron. Great detail and lighting.

Ron Huff

Registered on August 31, 2010, 69 Posts, 440 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 25, 2011 at 1:02 PM

I like the detail and sharpness around the head as my eye seems to always go to that area, plus the background colors compliment the harrirer's colors. Sometimes the background colors to me are so overpowering they take away from a good image. Good job on waiting to get this shot as it paid off. Well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 25, 2011 at 1:19 PM

Another first rate flight shot. Excellent technicals and very impressive getting this full frame. It takes skill as well as patience to get a harrier shot this nice without baiting.

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on February 25, 2011 at 1:51 PM

Fantastic detail and you handled the white feathers well... While it seems silly to complain about this being a full frame I do wish for more room around the bird

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

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on February 25, 2011 at 2:50 PM

A fitting reward for your waiting and ethics. I really like the sharpness and composition on this shot. Getting this close is no easy accomplishment. It is really difficult to find even minor faults with this one. Thank you for sharing your success.

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on February 25, 2011 at 2:54 PM

Great picture! I love the background colours, they really make him stand out! You also have some great catchlight in his eye and it looks awesome in the larger version.

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on February 25, 2011 at 5:44 PM

I remembered that you got another FF harrier flight shot and wondered when you'd post it Ron. Nice sharpness on the head and that troublesome rump patch looks good. I love that background and like the look at the far wing especially. Super job getting this FF! Very well done.

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 25, 2011 at 5:59 PM

You are killing me with these Harrier shot, Ron. Excellent work. No criticisms from me.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 25, 2011 at 8:10 PM

Ron,

Love the color of the phrags in the background and how well the harrier stands out from them, Great view of the eye, lovely natural colors, and sharpness. Even the rictal bristles are sharp! Excellent work getting this full frame too, your patience paid off!

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

Comment posted by wade pettitt on February 25, 2011 at 8:22 PM

Ron, great job. Persistence pays off with a wonderful image, I love the wing position . Well done!!

Registered on May 6, 2009, 184 Posts, 471 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 25, 2011 at 11:08 PM

Your usual great detail, pose, and BG.
Not the smallest nit from me.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on February 26, 2011 at 3:07 AM

Great eye contact! Another sweet flight shot Ron!!!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 26, 2011 at 5:26 AM

Another wonderful shot Ron - those backgrounds are so complementary

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 26, 2011 at 10:33 AM

I would be very happy with this Ron..Can't imagine it gets much better than this, full frame no less.
Excellent

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on February 26, 2011 at 9:31 PM

Now this is a +++!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on February 26, 2011 at 9:38 PM

Excellent.

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

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 26, 2011 at 10:19 PM

Hi Ron

Patience pays off to the dedicated photographer

This shot can't get much better

Awesome detail, color and pose.

Albert Darmo. Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Diller on February 27, 2011 at 5:42 AM

Registered on October 2, 2009, 69 Posts, 434 Comments

Comment posted by Des Ong on February 27, 2011 at 5:47 AM

Harriers in general tend to be too far for us to photograph over here so this to me is exceptional. Super!

Registered on July 12, 2007, 23 Posts, 234 Comments

Comment posted by Joe Paratore on February 27, 2011 at 7:22 AM

Ron,
Another sweet BIF shot!!! Never get tried of viewing your work.
Depth of field is incredible and sharpness outstanding.
Your patience paid off handsomely.How do you hold that 500 for all those
hours.

Registered on January 31, 2007, 40 Posts, 160 Comments

Comment posted by Luca Mussato on February 27, 2011 at 10:39 AM

Very well done; details in the larger version are great. Looking at the bg, it could be easy to add more canvas to the left to give the Harrier more space to fly to. I like the light in its eye.

Cheers, Luca

Registered on November 14, 2006, 118 Posts, 855 Comments

Comment posted by David Schoen on February 27, 2011 at 5:02 PM

A really superb image. I am always amazed when i see 500 & 1.4X HH. Not easy to do.

Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments