Northern Harrier

Gallery: AvianPosted November 15, 2009283 views21 comments

It's turned snowy and colder around here which sometimes makes the harriers a bit more accessable. We had some opportunities with both sexes this morning but there's sure a lot that can go wrong when shooting these birds. My better shots just don't seem to include interesting backgrounds lately.

7D, 1/2500, f/7, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window this morning, early morning light (no saturation added), cropped to 58% of original image

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on November 15, 2009 at 6:59 PM

Very nice Ron, I like the bird's position and the nice look at the face. Personally, I like the grey BG. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on November 15, 2009 at 7:01 PM

Great detail on the face - the catchlight is awesome. Still looks like there's not much detail in the breast feathers - but we know all about that. Wish this were mine.

- Luke

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on November 15, 2009 at 7:51 PM

Ron,

I like the cool, pale gray background as it shows off the harriers warmer toned coloration. I like the great flight pose, the eye contact & catchlight, your choice of composition and those yellow feet hanging like they are.

Nice sharpness, colors and I enjoy how the warm morning light sure makes this female stand out well!

And yes, there is a lot that can go wrong when photographing these birds, I ought to know from this morning

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Benjamin Olson on November 15, 2009 at 8:57 PM

Wonderful image of my favorite raptor!

Registered on April 7, 2007, 169 Posts, 725 Comments

Comment posted by Douglas Graham on November 15, 2009 at 9:08 PM

Pure hunter there nice capture Ron. Love he soft warm light and he 18% gray background really makes him pop off the page.

Registered on May 14, 2009, 123 Posts, 522 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on November 15, 2009 at 9:23 PM

I have never got a Harrier photo showing this much detail. They sure are abundant in your area Ron. Nicely captured, and you can't beat that light

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on November 15, 2009 at 9:34 PM

wow! spectacular. great sharpness, especially in the face. love the pose and light too. The background is very nice, but I do wish for a little hint of habitat down there at the bottom so that I could see where she is looking so intently.

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

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on November 15, 2009 at 9:36 PM

Just incredible, Ron.... but somehow I feel it's still the calm before the storm.

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

Comment posted by Carrie O'Brien-Sib on November 15, 2009 at 10:09 PM

Fabulous image, Ron!

Registered on August 4, 2009, 149 Posts, 889 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on November 15, 2009 at 10:22 PM

Nice pose, Ron. I keep thinking about getting one of those utility vans with a lift bucket to get better angles

. Very nice light, and the bg is fine.

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

Comment posted by Michael Twaddell on November 16, 2009 at 12:08 AM

I really like this one, Ron. I like the head position, looking straight down like it is. Nice catchlight, too! I wish that I had something like this in my files!

Registered on August 16, 2007, 199 Posts, 2132 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on November 16, 2009 at 4:53 AM

Very nice indeed Ron - love the intense concentration and warm colours

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on November 16, 2009 at 4:57 AM

This really rocks IMHO. I love th pose and colors. Excellent work!

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

Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on November 16, 2009 at 9:35 AM

Great shot Ron!
I especially like the hint of movement in the wing tips. Very dynamic!
Neil

Registered on October 30, 2009, 156 Posts, 749 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on November 16, 2009 at 11:02 AM

Looks pretty good to me as presented. Maybe its the lack of snow that limits me here in Phoenix.

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

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on November 16, 2009 at 11:52 AM

Great harrier image Ron, terrific eye contact and lighting, I feel as if I'm there with her hunting

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

Comment posted by Monica Siri on November 16, 2009 at 12:26 PM

Wonderful capture, Ron. I like the light, the position of the bird and the BG too.
Brilliantly done

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on November 16, 2009 at 7:11 PM

Wonderful flight image. I like the wing position. The birds appears to be hanging in the air staring at its prey.
May

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on November 16, 2009 at 7:23 PM

Very fine capture, Ron. Very sharp, extremely low noise and clear image. Interesting bird. Great contrast with the background too.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on November 17, 2009 at 11:46 AM

Well done, Ron. Presumably using the "noodle-pod" again? Really nice for strongish direct light, and I like the slight motion blur in the wings to emphasize a sense of action. I also think the negative space works well. Just wondering if a bit more room below the bird would work (I tend to be partial to using a fair amount of negative space).

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

Comment posted by richard ettlinger on November 17, 2009 at 4:15 PM

Grat light Excellent Ron!

Registered on June 17, 2004, 377 Posts, 1565 Comments