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Harrierscape
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Harrierscape

by Dennis Plank

Gallery: AvianPosted November 22, 2017179 views3 comments
I snuck a trip to Ridgefield NWR in on Saturday when it decided to take a day's break from rain in this part of the country.  The fog didn't lift until quite late in the morning, which made for some interesting processing issues.  However, by the time I stopped to photograph a Great Blue Heron and saw this female Harrier perched in the background it wasn't much of an issue any more.  I liked the nice fall/winter feel that the trees gave to this image.

7Dii, Sigma 150-600 C @ 600 mm, beanbag on car window, f/9, 1/2000, iso 800, aperture priority, pattern metering, -1 EV (I took a couple of test frames at -1/3 and the image was a bit brighter than I liked due to the remnants of the fog).  Processed in LR & PS CC.  Cropped to 14.7 MP (I'd tried positioning the bird at the lower right 1/3 point, but didn't get it right so I decided to crop for a better composition).  I added a bit of extra blur to the bg as well.  Taken at 11:13 am on November 18th.

Your comments and critiques are always appreciated.

Thanks,

Comments

3 comments
Comment posted by David Schoen on November 22, 2017 at 5:00 PM
Nice view of this Harrier up in the sticks.  I like the color and the pose.  Looks like you saw little sun which is more than I can say for the Olympia area on Saturday.  Even today when it is in the mid 60s, it is somewhat sunny outside but raining.  I was already to take pictures but I will have to put up with drizzle.
Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments
Comment posted by Allen Brooks on November 23, 2017 at 11:28 AM
A nice look at the harrier in its habitat.  Nice pose without a bunch of leaves in the way.  The blur of the background makes the harrier stand out, though I could also see this as an overall landscape with the background in focus.

I am curious about something.  I've been to Ridgefield on several occasions and like it, but last spring when I went to the NPPNW meeting in Olympia I went to Nisqually NWR and was quite impressed with the potential variety of birds available.  What's your take on NIsqually?  It seems a lot closer to Littlerock.
Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on November 23, 2017 at 5:01 PM
Well seen and taken Dennis, an effective birdscape with colors that work well together. devil
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments