Northern Harrier

Gallery: AvianPosted December 28, 2010310 views28 comments

We're excited to see more snow in our forecast because it's so difficult to lock on to these harriers when they're flying low over vegetation - snow on the ground makes it much easier. At least in the case of this image the background was relatively far away.

7D, 1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 11/18/10, exposure adjustment in ACR, cropped to 50% of original image, sharpened bird, very slight levels tweak, no additional processing or adjustments, natural light, not set up or baited

Larger version provided

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

28 comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 28, 2010 at 6:47 PM

Love the BG here Ron. Very nice look at this bird as per usual with your shots. Is this a juvie female? The very dark head and neck compared to the body is different from any harrier I have ever seen here in FL.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 28, 2010 at 6:54 PM

Is this a juvie female?

I think so Ron, based on the very dark eye color and the solid rufous breast, rather than a streaked breast as in the adult females.

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

Comment posted by Bryan Hix on December 28, 2010 at 7:01 PM

Nice and sharp. Love the BG and slight head turn toward the camera. I need to get out to the marsh and try for these guys.

Registered on June 13, 2008, 117 Posts, 755 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Crowther on December 28, 2010 at 7:27 PM

Beautiful - love the background color complimenting the bird.

Registered on July 10, 2010, 18 Posts, 17 Comments

Comment posted by Rohn B. McKee on December 28, 2010 at 7:51 PM

Beautiful Image Ron
Inspiring

Registered on November 18, 2008, 109 Posts, 415 Comments

Comment posted by dan elster on December 28, 2010 at 8:03 PM

Incredible as always...The backround kind of enhances the speedy flight of a harrier. I don't know how you do it Ron.

Registered on September 23, 2005, 299 Posts, 2443 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on December 28, 2010 at 8:40 PM

Wow, Ron. Incredible detail in that eye. Thank you for sharing your artistry with us.

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

Comment posted by Eric Diller on December 28, 2010 at 8:48 PM

another awesome Raptor! Spot on capture

Registered on October 2, 2009, 69 Posts, 434 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on December 28, 2010 at 9:39 PM

Beautiful view of this bird, Ron. Great pose. Lovely colors. The lack of detail in the white rump patch is something I recall seeing earlier on another image of this bird where you commented that it "looked good". I guess the feathers are very smooth in that area and the angle of the light doesn't pick up variations. I'm curious to know if you have previously seen more detail in that area for Northern Harriers.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on December 28, 2010 at 10:18 PM

Ron, I really like this. The sharpness and angle of the head and the light on the eye, along with the gorgeous bg, are all super. But this one speaks to me beyond that--for me the essence of what a harrier is/does really comes through in the image. It seems to really capture that light, buoyant flight. Really a cool shot.

But I think I DO know how you do it. One hell of a lot of dedication and work. Your harrier work is really an inspiration to me.

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 28, 2010 at 10:42 PM

The lack of detail in the white rump patch is something I recall seeing earlier on another image of this bird where you commented that it "looked good". I guess the feathers are very smooth in that area and the angle of the light doesn't pick up variations. I'm curious to know if you have previously seen more detail in that area for Northern Harriers.

Steve, all I know is that the harrier white rump patch is typically a huge exposure challenge, almost like the whites of the Wood Duck. I seldom see detail there and I'm generally just happy to not blow the whites. Whenever I've been able to get any detail in the patch (not much) the bird is always too dark, especially with females and juvies.

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

Comment posted by Steve Balke on December 28, 2010 at 10:54 PM

Very interesting response. Thank you, Ron.

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

Comment posted by Balan Vinod on December 29, 2010 at 12:08 AM

Love the detail on the bird Ron...and the BG colors are very complimenting ..well done ..

Balan Vinod

Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 29, 2010 at 12:22 AM

Terrific! A very clean image; the background is very appealing. Nice detail as well, especially in the face.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on December 29, 2010 at 1:25 AM

Great look at this pretty young lady! Love the eye, pose, and detail here.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on December 29, 2010 at 4:37 AM

Sweet One Ron

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Mark Davies on December 29, 2010 at 6:33 AM

A smart capture . At 50% its retained a lot of detail especially when you consider the techs...

Registered on February 3, 2009, 21 Posts, 327 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on December 29, 2010 at 6:54 AM

Wonderful Harrier Shot Ron! A very though customer to photograph!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Bacon on December 29, 2010 at 7:56 AM

Nice capture Ron, after having chased one of these around all last weekend in southeast Texas with no acceptable results, all I can do is stare at this and know that if I work harder and stay persistent, I might be able to capture something close to this - thanks for sharing and keeping me motivated.

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

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on December 29, 2010 at 11:32 AM

Beautiful look at her, with a terrific background. You REALLY need to send your harriers up this way...ours are much too skittish!!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Karen Summers on December 29, 2010 at 5:21 PM

another cracker Ron love the wing detail and great background

Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on December 29, 2010 at 5:43 PM

Another harrier classic Ron - lovely rich colours.

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on December 29, 2010 at 6:05 PM

This is an excellent flight image Ron

Great camera work.

Geoff.

Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Willison on December 30, 2010 at 1:11 PM

Love it. The earth tones of the harrier really stand out against the layered bg. Nive sharp head, too.