Northern Harrier

Gallery: AvianPosted August 20, 2011232 views23 comments

It's very unusual for me to get this close to a harrier during summer but earlier this week this bird was playing tag with a Cooper's Hawk behind a hill and she flew over us several times. A more interesting background and better definition of the bill tip would have been nice but it was fun to get close to a harrier again.

7D, 1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 8/17/11, small exposure adjustment in ACR, cropped to 75% of original image, cloned out an OOF insect in the background, sharpened bird, no additional processing or adjustments, natural light, not set up or baited

Larger version provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

23 comments

Comment posted by Kim Connolly on August 20, 2011 at 9:11 AM

A stunning flight shot Ron, terrific detail.

Registered on June 18, 2008, 14 Posts, 226 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on August 20, 2011 at 9:54 AM

This is just beautiful. You're getting way too picky if you hoped for a better background or definition of the bill tip!! You've got some wonderful detail in the plumage, and I love the pose, with the head turned towards you a bit.

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

Comment posted by Robbie Knight on August 20, 2011 at 11:06 AM

Great picture Ron thanks for sharing. under wing bars, eyes, and sharp tip to tail.... I also like the natural color on the belly - shot looks like they do in the wild !!! RK

Registered on April 10, 2010, 30 Posts, 135 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on August 20, 2011 at 3:02 PM

Excellent. I wish I had taken this one. Nice position, nice sharpness, nice color.

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on August 20, 2011 at 5:30 PM

Awesome as always Ron. Great head turn toward you. Very nice detail. I love the underwing area on the left side of the image. Tons of detail and super colors. Blue sky as a BG works for me.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on August 20, 2011 at 7:21 PM

Sweet flight shot Ron

The large version is a pleasure to look at.

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on August 20, 2011 at 7:22 PM

Love the colours and pose.

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on August 20, 2011 at 7:50 PM

Well, the bill tip looks pretty defined to me Ron!

Beautiful study in feather detail and color of this female. Looks like she's hovering with a head wind.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on August 20, 2011 at 8:11 PM

a beauty, Ron. super details and a nice angle/view of the bird with great eye contact. this looks great to me. good to see you, too.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 20, 2011 at 10:30 PM

Excellent detail and comp, Ron. I like the lighting too.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Teller on August 20, 2011 at 10:50 PM

I like the image a lot. The detail and pose are great and the light is good. Fine image.

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

Comment posted by Verdon on August 20, 2011 at 11:41 PM

great shot, he gave to you mean look ......

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on August 21, 2011 at 1:31 AM

Wonderful pose and Eye contact.
Your usual fine detail and colours - just excellent.
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on August 21, 2011 at 8:11 AM

Nice head turn and wing position, Ron. Would be interested to see this full frame. For my tastes think I'd prefer a bit more room around, especially in front of the bird.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on August 21, 2011 at 8:41 AM

Would be interested to see this full frame. For my tastes think I'd prefer a bit more room around, especially in front of the bird.

Here it is Bill, full frame and quickly processed. As you can see I had no more room in front of the bird or up top. I could add canvas but I usually prefer not to do that if possible.

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

Comment posted by denise ippolito on August 21, 2011 at 9:19 AM

Ron, Nice capture and the warm tones are lovely.

Registered on December 17, 2009, 202 Posts, 1529 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on August 21, 2011 at 9:21 AM

Wonderful image with excellent detail. Great eye contact. Prefer the first post.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Gilham on August 21, 2011 at 12:27 PM

A superb capture Ron, with a great view of the underwings. Exellent on all accounts IMO.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 77 Posts, 489 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on August 21, 2011 at 1:07 PM

Just another top notch Harrier in flight host form you Ron! Sooooo jealous! I can't get close to one to save my life! You make this look easy.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on August 22, 2011 at 11:32 AM

Large view looks excellent Ron..Everything worked in your favor here, no nits.
Beautiful shot!

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

Comment posted by Graham Brown on August 22, 2011 at 11:39 AM

Beautifully exposed Ron, shooting upwards against the sky. The light and detail is excellent and the pose is great with the bird appearing to give you the eye. A strong image. Graham

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

Comment posted by May Haga on August 22, 2011 at 4:11 PM

Another beauty Ron.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Joe James on August 22, 2011 at 8:28 PM

You're way too hard on yourself Ron! This is a stunning image; tack sharp, great head turn, great color...can't ask for more. I'd love to have this but usually see Harriers way, way off in the distance. Well done here.

Registered on November 20, 2009, 89 Posts, 808 Comments