Hunting Harrier

Gallery: AvianPosted January 16, 2014167 views12 comments

This Northern Harrier was hunting the marshes being patrolled by the previously posted Kingfisher. I would say this is a top 3 image of a Northern Harrier after many many years of trying to photograph them. Things really came together for me between this and the kingfisher!

Nikon D7100 300mm f4 + 1.7X TC HH from car
f/8
1/1600s
ISO 1600
Cropped Mode

Cropped down to 75% from "cropped mode" image. Minor adjustments and NR in LR5 and CS5

- Luke

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on January 16, 2014 at 9:20 PM

You sure were working the golden light - I love the head turn and the wings up pose, very nice. BTW, the large version is a must see.

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

Comment posted by Randy Runtsch on January 16, 2014 at 9:26 PM

This is a winner, Luke. The bright sky near the top adds interest and I like how the beautiful bird's eye pierces to his left.

Registered on October 30, 2013, 50 Posts, 445 Comments

Comment posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on January 16, 2014 at 9:55 PM

The light is superb here mate. Love the look back pose. It would not work any other way.

Registered on April 24, 2004, 25 Posts, 510 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 16, 2014 at 10:27 PM

I'll say, Luke. Gorgeous light and good detail plus excellent eye contact and wing position.

Well done.

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

Comment posted by David Rowe on January 17, 2014 at 4:41 AM

Excellent in flight shot of this female. DOF is very good and the detail quite remarkable in view of the high ISO. I would say that the deep chested effect is unusual but not unique - perhaps this raptor was flying with an overloaded crop!

Registered on December 20, 2013, 133 Posts, 286 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 17, 2014 at 6:54 AM

Great light, nice head turn and pose Luke.
Nice details at this higher ISO as well..
I might compose/place the bird in the frame differently, but that's just my two cents.

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

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 17, 2014 at 7:50 AM

Very nice flight shot. I like the look towards you. Agree with Howard about the comp...a little more space in front and less behind to decenter the bird would be nice. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Jenkins on January 17, 2014 at 8:02 AM

Great light and detail on this difficult bird to photograph. Nice one Luke.

Registered on April 20, 2008, 307 Posts, 604 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on January 17, 2014 at 12:41 PM

Beautiful light and good detail along with the nice head turn render a compelling image Luke. I too would weigh in for a slightly different comp.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on January 17, 2014 at 8:45 PM

Sounds and looks like quite an afternoon Luke, beautiful lighting and nice view of the eye under the wing here, I might take a bit off the top, nicely done Luke

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on January 18, 2014 at 5:59 AM

Wow... Excellent !