Northern harrier

Nice eye contact with a very pleasing background, a terrific shot Ron!

Very nice detail - even the facial bristles look pretty good in the larger version.

Very nice flight shot with good detail and eye contact for iso 1000, way to go.

Another great flight shot, Ron- great details and expression of the subject, and awesome background (the warm colours of the reeds works perfectly in this image)- well done, Fabio

I certainly wouldn't call this "just" another Northern Harrier Ron but it is another excellent image of one from you. I like what you like - the wing position, background and eye contact. Framing works well too. The bird is placed just right against the background so that the darks there of similar colors to the bird don't blend with the harrier. Great job on a difficult subject.

Nice flight shot. The Harrier is very sharp and crisp. For my taste I would like to see the background a little darker. That is just personal preference.

great light and detail, Ron, really a nice looking harrier. I like how well it stands out from the bg.

A real beauty. Tack sharp head. Love that yellow patch on the beak. The bg offers a lot of dimension to the bird. Looks like a hot spot on the back, though.
Ron, do you always shoot manual exp for bifs?

Wayne, thanks for the comment. Yes, I shoot manual exposure for everything I do. I like it because I can control everything and leave nothing up to the camera and its metering system. I simply set my exposure for my subject and shoot. For BIF shots it really is the best way to go IMO. By shooting manual and setting your exposure for the bird it does not matter where the bird flys, in front of dark BG, in front of medium BG, or in front of the bright sky the bird will always be exposed correctly. That is, if you have your exposure set correctly for the bird. Cheers.

"By shooting manual and setting your exposure for the bird it does not matter where the bird flys, in front of dark BG, in front of medium BG, or in front of the bright sky the bird will always be exposed correctly. That is, if you have your exposure set correctly for the bird."

Ron, I usually shoot spot. But it does take time away from the camera. So I tried manual the other day. Only problem with it is the bright white birds and dark birds usually against a dark bg. Takes time to switch. Not sure which way is quickest.

Very nice. Incredibly sharp. Love the background. Nice detail in the eye.

Just another northern harrier. Your harriers are over the top great! Wish you gave harrier lessons. Mine all seem camera shy!

I am really impressed by the fine detail in this one! I do wish you would explain more about how you go about getting your settings. I have often wondered about this in the past. I have a Harrier shortage here, since they have flooded Nisqually Wildlife Refuge. It seems to have taken away their food source. Amazing image, you always leave me with something to aspire to.

Beautiful, Ron. I like the deep colors in this and the way the bg mimics them. The strong texture in the bg is a plus in my opinion.

Large image is superb Ron - great detail. Really like the way the blotches in the background complement the darker patches in the plumage.

cheers
Rob

Ron,
stunning image, expecially in the larger version. Great look

Striking picture. All the good things have already been said! Congratulations!

It shows really well in the larger version! Excellent!

Another beaut flyby - especially like the shaed tones of bird and background.

I would be elated to have a photo of this species, this good. Congrats. (Have you printed and hung this in your home yet?)

Another beauty Ron, somehow I missed this until now. I really like the background, top notch sharpness, really looks good for ISO-1000. These great flight shots seem to have become routine for you, are these guys always flying near the roads?

Hi Ron Yes!! just another masterpiece
Albert Darmo. canada