Northern Harrier

Gallery: AvianPosted January 11, 2010231 views24 comments

I'm still working hard at harriers in flight. It's often very frustrating but it's a real rush when you get one you like. I thought this one looked at me rather disdainfully as it flew by.

7D, 1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4 without tc, shot from pickup window, cropped to 67% of original image, not baited

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

24 comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 11, 2010 at 7:04 PM

I know HOW you do it and WHERE you do it, but it still amazes me. I had some successful photos of this species the other day but it was backlit. Amazing as always.

- Luke

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 11, 2010 at 7:13 PM

See Ron. the 500 does work w/o the TC. One of your best IMO. The BG is just superb for this bird as it is the perfect color and texture and gives the needed sense of habitat that I much prefer in bird images. The detial in the bird is awesome and for this species that is a super achievement. I just love the colors, textures, and shadow play in the far wing. Top notch, Ron.

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

Comment posted by Nick Bristol on January 11, 2010 at 7:27 PM

Ron, I like everything about this. The background is great too.

Registered on February 1, 2004, 752 Posts, 14140 Comments

Comment posted by John Kerr on January 11, 2010 at 7:37 PM

What's not to like here? Awesome job, great sharp details.

Registered on October 28, 2009, 111 Posts, 1070 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on January 11, 2010 at 8:37 PM

Very nice flight shot. Very sharp and I like the grasses in the background.

Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments

Comment posted by Neil Rossmiller on January 11, 2010 at 8:50 PM

Excellent as usual, Ron!
Thanks for the diversion from skiing.
Neil

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

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on January 11, 2010 at 9:13 PM

Frustration well worth the reward ron. This is great. I love that eye

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 11, 2010 at 9:22 PM

Outstanding Ron, wish it was mine..
I see what you mean about the look of disdain, the birds character shines through here.
Your hard work has paid off very nicely

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

Comment posted by Matt Shellenberg on January 11, 2010 at 9:34 PM

Very nice flight shot Ron. Excellent detail and great eye contact. That background really works well. I don't know how you consistently get these Harrier shots. I'm amazed. The Harriers around here won't let you get within 50 yards of them and I have yet to find a flight path that they consistently use. Kudos on another great flight shot.

Registered on February 6, 2008, 168 Posts, 3118 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 11, 2010 at 11:05 PM

Wow, this is great! I see these quite often and all I have to show for it is some blurry photos! This is just great all around. Sharon

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

Comment posted by Gaurav Manglik on January 11, 2010 at 11:05 PM

vow. Awesome.

Registered on December 2, 2005, 191 Posts, 2126 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 11, 2010 at 11:05 PM

Your persistence is paying off very handsomely Ron. Sweet Photo!!!

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 11, 2010 at 11:38 PM

I agree, your persistence is sure paying off, Ron. I really like the detail in the face and on the far wing. This bird really does shown an expression. The background lets the bird stand out so well too. This is a very fine image.

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

Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 11, 2010 at 11:50 PM

Phenomenal photo. Gave me a good reason to review your entire gallery. They're all incredible. Those who've never tried this have no idea how hard it is. I feel lucky to get a feather in my view finder.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 12, 2010 at 12:20 AM

Excellent, Ron. The detail is great and it's a classic harrier pose.. I like the bg as well.

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

Comment posted by Ed Dubois on January 12, 2010 at 12:06 PM

Thumbs up on this one Ron. Well done!

Registered on February 22, 2005, 129 Posts, 4739 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on January 12, 2010 at 2:32 PM

A beaty Ron, I sepecially like the eye contact and sense of habitat in the undistracting background.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 12, 2010 at 2:44 PM

Very nice - hard to make this any better than it is already.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on January 12, 2010 at 3:13 PM

Ron, this is superb in every way! Congratulations on capturing such a terrific image

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

Comment posted by Mark Wilson on January 12, 2010 at 4:21 PM

Very, very nice Ron!

Registered on May 17, 2006, 70 Posts, 1166 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 12, 2010 at 9:31 PM

Ron,

You already know I love this image, the clarity of the eye is amazing, the background perfect for showing of the harrier's warm tones. I love the pose, details, sharpness and light.

This is a great image.

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

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on January 14, 2010 at 12:50 AM

Another frikken' awesome Harrier. I notice that each one of these posts gets ever so slightly BETTER! You're killing me, Ron.

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

Comment posted by Andrea Marzorati on January 15, 2010 at 12:34 PM

Everything is perfect in this shot Ron

Registered on December 1, 2005, 86 Posts, 589 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 17, 2010 at 1:20 AM

Wow, what a great shot, a real pleasure to view, way to go.

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