Harrier Hunting

Gallery: AvianPosted November 24, 2009291 views19 comments

Circus cyaneus

Taken this morning, this female harrier was hunting along the road at the MBR, there is a canal nearby that the harriers like to cruise looking for prey. The background consists of Phragmites.

I was pleased that I got eye contact despite the harrier looking down, but that is what they look like when hunting. I also enjoy the background in this image.

D200, lens resting on window, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 320, 200-400mm VR f/4 with 1.4x TC, natural light. This is 98% of the original image.

As always, I sincerely appreciate your comments & critiques, I have learned a great deal from all of you. Thank you for looking.

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on November 24, 2009 at 7:50 PM

Lia, the harrier is great, but the BG makes this image IMO. It is stunning and the colors work perfectly with the bird. There is nothing wrong with capturing images of birds against a nice blue sky, but getting a BG that brings the viewer into the bird's realm and has great artistic value takes an image to the next level from photograph to art. Very well done.

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

Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on November 24, 2009 at 9:07 PM

Excellent, Lia.
Although I enjoy seeing the stop action, set against sky, images. I echo Ron's remark about seeing this bird hunting in habitat as truly outstanding and worthy of many KUDO"S!
Neil

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

Comment posted by Carrie O'Brien-Sib on November 24, 2009 at 9:51 PM

Your best post so far! I LOVE it! Absolutely no nits for me.

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

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on November 24, 2009 at 11:05 PM

Awesome image, Lia. A beautifully typical harrier pose and the bg is incredible.

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

Comment posted by Kenneth Arni on November 25, 2009 at 6:15 AM

I’m jealous Lia, I see these birds in the marsh and never in position to get a shot of one. I love how your choice of DOF worked here. The bird just pops out! Love the detail and color. Great Job.

Registered on December 24, 2008, 112 Posts, 629 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on November 25, 2009 at 9:08 AM

Lovely colours in this Lia and a nice wing spread

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on November 25, 2009 at 10:13 AM

A wonderful background to bring out the Harrier, glad you posted the larger image as it really showed some nice detail, excellent shot, way to go.

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on November 25, 2009 at 11:54 AM

Really like that bg . The bird was caught right in the perfect spot of open area to show off its shape and face. Great detail as well on the face and under parts.

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Hans Spiecker on November 25, 2009 at 1:29 PM

Very nice Lia. She is a beauty and well shown in this shot. Others have said the important things already. Thanks for your warm welcome on my return to the forum. I must have missed something in my absence. You are the shorebird specialist from FL and now are showing birds in the wild west...

Registered on March 23, 2006, 366 Posts, 4649 Comments

Comment posted by Larry Fischer on November 25, 2009 at 2:28 PM

I nominate for one of the pics of the week. See if I'm right.

the fisch

Registered on July 28, 2008, 155 Posts, 874 Comments

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on November 25, 2009 at 4:10 PM

The subject is very sharp and the BG is absolutely beautiful.
Congratulations
daniel

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on November 25, 2009 at 5:27 PM

Lia, what a fine BG you've gotten here, of course the bird ain't no slouch either :) Great shot!

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on November 25, 2009 at 7:53 PM

This is a very artistic shot, Lia. The background is natural but strange. The bird is looking down into it. The motion is captured beautifully at an instant in time.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 25, 2009 at 8:51 PM

You already know that I think this background is sublime Lia and that you caught the bird in the perfect place against it. Your IQ and comp couldn't be better. I think the combination of this background and the harrier doing it's typical "thing" personifies the species and "that place" for me. Love it.

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on November 25, 2009 at 10:49 PM

Ron D has said it all, I think.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on November 26, 2009 at 12:07 AM

Typical harrier pose combined with a killer background makes this a beauty Lia

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Sally King on November 26, 2009 at 12:10 PM

Definitely on the hunt. The larger version shows off those great details you always get. I love the way he is positioned in the middle of the lighter section surrounded by the darker plants in the background. Well done.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Ian Mason on November 26, 2009 at 4:24 PM

Lia, this is about as good as bird photography gets! I love the tones and the background, and of course that hunting pose. One minor suggestion - I'd be tempted to take out the dark spot half way between the bird's head and the bottom of the frame, as it catches my eye a little.

Registered on December 14, 2005, 399 Posts, 2305 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on November 28, 2009 at 10:35 AM

Many thanks for the comments on this image.

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