Northern Harrier male

Gallery: AvianPosted February 28, 2011563 views23 comments

Circus cyaneus

This was taken in January in Utah while Ron B was out shooting with Ron D and I. The harrier had just lifted off from the ground.

D200, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 400, 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 280 mm, natural light, 63% of orginal frame, backed up the zoom so as not to clip the wings, not baited or set up. I did burn the bill a tiny bit and lightened the feather behind it just a smidge so it would stand out better. Cropped, slight mid tone levels adjustment, sharpened for web. Larger version provided. We didn't have the best of light that day but I did like how this turned out.

The background doesn't seem to busy for me knowing this species, but I'd like other opinions.

As always I sincerely appreciate your comments & critiques on my images. Thank you for looking.

Comments

23 comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 28, 2011 at 8:29 AM

great pose and action, Mia. love those extended feet. I think the bg is busy, but in the larger version I think the bird stands out well enough. You didn't have a lot of ability to blur the bg any more, since you were almost all the way wide open, and at a fairly short focal length. And like you say, this is a harrier's world.

Interesting molt limits in the near wing.

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

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on February 28, 2011 at 8:56 AM

Great pose, Mia, of this Harrier taking off ! The BG is a bit busy, but this is the habitat of the bird and he stands out very well. Did you shot a sequence ?
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Marquart on February 28, 2011 at 8:57 AM

Nice takeoff shot Mia, I like it because it's not an ordinary type of Harrier shot and as you probably know by now, I like to see natural habitat in photos and this is a fine habitat shot IMO. I really like the pose you captured here and the sharpness is top notch. That yellow eye really draws my eye. Very nice as usual!

Registered on October 24, 2009, 126 Posts, 799 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Summers on February 28, 2011 at 9:25 AM

stunning shot love the legs and feet hanging down

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 28, 2011 at 10:05 AM

This looks great Mia, I especially like the clarity, colors, and contrast, nice details.
Your frame combines the bird & harsh winter environment in a most pleasing way

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

Comment posted by Larry Reitz on February 28, 2011 at 10:43 AM

Hi Mia,

This is a super shot of a hawk in it's habitat. Very well done.

Now since you asked about the background, I think it depends on the use you have in mind, if any, for the image. I think it would work for a number of applications--stock image, slide presentation, or print for a selective audience such as an Audubon society. On the other hand I tend, for better or worse, to filter these type of questions by asking "would this move off the wall of my art show canopy"? In that regard, I think the background limits it's appeal as a wall hanger.

All that said, it certainly is up to the quality that NPN viewers regularly see from you.

Registered on September 7, 2007, 32 Posts, 335 Comments

Comment posted by Bryan Hix on February 28, 2011 at 11:58 AM

I really like the clarity and sharpness of the bird. Male Harriers are a handsome raptor. The BG isn't too busy for me since this is their habitat and they seem to hang out right above vegetation while hunting. Ideally the angle of the bird could be more toward the camera, but this is a solid photo regardless.

Registered on June 13, 2008, 117 Posts, 755 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 28, 2011 at 2:11 PM

Even with the busy natural background the harrier stands out well in the larger version, so I have no issues with it at all. A nice flight position that shows off the primaries, dangling feet, and the head.

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on February 28, 2011 at 2:15 PM

Something a bit different in the harrier line, I especially like the tensed feet

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on February 28, 2011 at 3:51 PM

A wonderful habitat and flight image Mia. I find no issue with the background and the pose of the bird is all business, reminds me of an " AV-8D Harrier" jump jet- anhedral wings, gear down and just lifting off...but I digress.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on February 28, 2011 at 4:33 PM

Excellent harrier and habitat action photo Mia

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 28, 2011 at 5:15 PM

I like the wing span and the fanned out tail plus those yellow legs and yellow eye really stand out from the other colors. The background is not a issue for me, I like seeing habitat. Very cool take off shot, well done, the larger image looks very good.

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

Comment posted by Ron Huff on February 28, 2011 at 6:06 PM

Awesome photgraph Mia. What a beautiful harrier.

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on February 28, 2011 at 10:30 PM

Good looking bird, well represented here. I like the hurting pose and the yellow eye and legs are nicely balanced in the image.

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

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on March 1, 2011 at 12:52 AM

Excellent timing. I like the full extension of the legs, toes, tail and wings. An exceptionally dynamic shot. Beautifully exposed. The background is exactly right: this is a rangeland/grassland species.

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

Comment posted by Graham Brown on March 1, 2011 at 4:21 AM

Perhaps a little busy on opening it up Mia but once I had looked at it for a second or two it clearly became an excellent harrier in nabitat shot. The larger version really helps this. I like this type of shot and you've caught the bird in a nice pose just lifting off. Graham

Registered on November 20, 2007, 275 Posts, 1365 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on March 1, 2011 at 6:05 AM

Extended legs and splayed wings add drama to this shot! You have captured the magic moment in my opinion. Technically the shot is also superb. As always another stunning capture Mia!

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 1, 2011 at 6:05 AM

Beautifully sharp against the background Mia. Wonderful pose and yellow eyes.

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on March 1, 2011 at 11:55 AM

Wonderful! Love the setting behind the bird, and it's a really terrific pose. Background isn't busy at all for me. Like you say, it's typical for the species, and I think makes for a stronger photo than it would have been had the background been sky or something similar.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by David Williams on March 1, 2011 at 10:41 PM

No problem with this at all, Mia. This guy is right where he should be in habitat. He's tack sharp and superbly lit......love it!

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on March 2, 2011 at 1:06 PM

Any time we can photograph a male Harrier is a huge bonus, so to me any kind of BG is good! I like the moment of take-off you got.

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on March 2, 2011 at 7:50 PM

Mia,
This is over the top for me. I love the background as it shows natural habitat. Very nice wing position and the detail is exceptional here. I love the snow as well. Really nice Mia.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on March 2, 2011 at 10:26 PM

Love it. I think because the actual back of the image is softer, it takes away from the too busy thing. I personally like the environment because of the snow. I love those talons as well.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments