Northern Harrier

Gallery: AvianPosted March 6, 2011422 views29 comments

This is probably the same bird as in my post of 11/21/10. The twig behind the tail may not be ideal but it doesn't really bother me. That's a tail feather coming out from behind the birds left cheek.

7D, 1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 800, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 11/18/2010, cropped to 57% of original image, increased exposure globally, cloned out 3 pixels of a distracting bright spot, sharpened bird, NR to background, no additional processing or adjustments, natural (cloudy) light, not set up or baited

Larger version provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

29 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on March 6, 2011 at 6:12 PM

You are the Master of harriers in flight. I love this! Neat body position; great eye contact; nice colors and very natural.

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

Comment posted by Patricia Brundage on March 6, 2011 at 6:15 PM

I would clone out the branch at the tail, but otherwise it is a sweet shot! The subtle color of the background really makes him stand out, and the eye contact couldn 't be better.

Registered on March 23, 2006, 1111 Posts, 6531 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on March 6, 2011 at 6:48 PM

Classic hovering behavior Ron! The eye contact is very intense and adds a lot to this image. Another wonderful Harrier photo. The twig and tail are non-issues for me. I hope to capture one 1/10 as good as this...some day...

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on March 6, 2011 at 6:58 PM

Ron,
Stunning in every respect. Can't add anything more to it.

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

Comment posted by Peter Cross on March 6, 2011 at 7:34 PM

A really great photo. Wonderful pose showing how this bird hunts. Love the detail in the plumage, particularly of the body/upper leg area. Just a snick more DOF would have gotten the wing tips in focus but might have also added to the sharpness of the BG. Lovely image.
Peter

Registered on April 3, 2010, 271 Posts, 1342 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on March 6, 2011 at 7:45 PM

This is a fabulous catch, in-flight, looking your way, and it seems like it's about to grab something on the ground. Given all those, I don't find the twig behind the tail a problem.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on March 6, 2011 at 8:04 PM

Ron this is beautiful! I like the bird position and sharpness. This is an excellent shot!

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on March 6, 2011 at 8:55 PM

Outstanding image all the way around. I especially like the pose. It is different from the normal gliding Harrier.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on March 6, 2011 at 9:22 PM

wow--great stare and I love the lowered feet and raised wings. the twig is a total non-issue for me. very nice image and of course excellent techs.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on March 6, 2011 at 9:29 PM

Ron, I love the way the bird seems to be glaring at you. Just another terrific shot from you. I can barely even find harriers let alone get this close...any good tips you have other than a ton of patience?

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on March 6, 2011 at 9:32 PM

A beautiful image that shows off the subtle beauty of the grey ghost. Not your best in my opinion but I still like it a lot.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on March 6, 2011 at 9:36 PM

any good tips you have other than a ton of patience?

Patience is the keyword Kurt, lots of it, but finding a place where there's traffic and harriers together so they can sort of get used to having vehicles around and then shooting from the vehicle when they approach you sure helps too. When I'm on foot they don't approach at all.

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on March 6, 2011 at 9:38 PM

Really wouldn't want to cross this guy, would you? Outstanding capture Ron.

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

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on March 6, 2011 at 10:14 PM

Fabulous shot Ron, this may be my favorite of the incredible Harrier shots you've posted here. I love the intense stare and the spread pose. This male Harrier is stunning!

Registered on November 24, 2008, 56 Posts, 492 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on March 6, 2011 at 11:43 PM

Holly Smoke

Awesome photo Ron!!!

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by David Williams on March 7, 2011 at 12:57 AM

Gorgeous, Ron.......you are the best at these guys! No problem in any way with this one for me.

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

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on March 7, 2011 at 3:25 AM

Super pose and I like those beady eye.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on March 7, 2011 at 4:49 AM

Of the plethora of harrier shots recently this, IMO, is the best. Enough said.

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on March 7, 2011 at 11:48 AM

Gorgeous picture, with terrific eye contact, pose and background- My best congrats, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Conway on March 7, 2011 at 11:56 AM

Sweet!!!!

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on March 7, 2011 at 3:55 PM

Wow, Ron. What a pose for inflight. Delightful. I'd say it is well worth getting rid of the twig, though.

Registered on April 10, 2009, 292 Posts, 3967 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on March 7, 2011 at 5:36 PM

Somebody please make him stop.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Backlund on March 7, 2011 at 8:39 PM

What else can be said? Wish I could ever get this close!

Registered on September 29, 2005, 252 Posts, 3380 Comments

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on March 7, 2011 at 9:19 PM

Sweet flight shot Ron. Those eyes glaring at you really take this over the top. I like the leg position as well. Superb techs as always. I would not have noticed the twig if you had not mentioned it. Just a part of the environment.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Graham Brown on March 8, 2011 at 4:28 AM

I'm envious everytime I open one of your rapture images Ron. They are not run of the mill compositions and this is no exception having captured an excellent hovering position. Exposure looks good showing good detail throughout the bird. Iso 800 would be the limit I would use on my 7D and I usually have to apply NR at this level. Love the oof habitat in the background. Graham

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

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on March 8, 2011 at 5:33 PM

Cracking good shot, Ron! The look on the bird's face and nice wing position really make this one for me. Fine work!

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

Comment posted by Nancy Elwood on March 8, 2011 at 7:17 PM

This one is awesome Ron!!! That stare and pose are just superb!! Big congrats!!

Registered on January 15, 2010, 101 Posts, 396 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on March 8, 2011 at 8:43 PM

What a pose and capture! The twig is no bother.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on March 10, 2011 at 12:20 AM

Too stinking cool, I think I would of titled this "Out Of My Way" with the look the harrier is displaying. Interesting to see how long the legs extend below the harrier, excellent shot Ron, way to go.

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