Northern Harrier

Gallery: AvianPosted June 22, 2011186 views12 comments

The weather in Montana while I was there was very changable. Some mornings were foggy, misty, and cloudy; others were clear and cold. This image was taken on a cloudy, misty morning. This bird had just emerged from the fog/mist. I like the overall comp, the position of the bird, and the way the bird's eyes stand out.

Please note: this is ISO:1250 at 1/500s, straining my limits for sharp flight shots.

I used a bit of NR on the BG as the combination of fog and higher ISO created a bit more "noise" than I prefered in the BG. I did not use any NR on the bird

Thanks for looking and please view the larger version for max details

Canon 1DM4
500mm f/4 + 1/4x TC
ISO 1250
1/500s
Manual Exp.
Hand Held
69% of FF
Small percent of NR on BG

Comments

12 comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on June 22, 2011 at 7:46 PM

Ron, I'm viewing this on my laptop so can't see it as large as I would like to, but I love the overall effect of this image. It is, in my opinion, extraordinarily beautiful artistically, even more than one of your great BIF shots. I specifically also like the things you like, and especially the position of the bird's head.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on June 22, 2011 at 8:08 PM

Gorgeous with a nice head tilt to listen and the tail tilt to counter the wind. Habitat is a plus and it looks real good for ISO 1250

- Luke

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

Comment posted by Peter Conway on June 22, 2011 at 9:06 PM

I really like the composition of this Ron. It shows beautifully the typical low flight over grasslands. I also like the tipped head and use of the tail in flight. Great job!

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on June 22, 2011 at 11:21 PM

Very nice mood from the mist and light. I like the head and tail tilts as well.

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on June 23, 2011 at 12:13 AM

Love the pose and "opposing" head and tail tilts. Great habitat and I appreciate the wider view - a contrast to your usual perfect BIF tight images. Fine detail and good noise control -
Excellent!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on June 23, 2011 at 7:47 PM

Another wonderful Montana image Ron. Makes me want to take a trip.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on June 23, 2011 at 10:18 PM

Nice, dreamy mood and look to this image. Just enough detail in the face. I like that you did not crowd the bird. He looks very free here.

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

Comment posted by David Sparks on June 23, 2011 at 11:46 PM

Ron:
The bird is nice (especially the head/tail twists and wide wing spread), but the habitat makes the shot for me. I like the mist and the tall grass in the foreground.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Dan Walters on June 24, 2011 at 8:12 PM

Love the head angle and the grass just below the bird. Like the soft light as well.

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

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on June 24, 2011 at 11:40 PM

Lovely shot Ron. Great setting and i love the head going one way and the tail the other

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Ashley Vincent on June 25, 2011 at 4:47 AM

Wow! Your skill with BIF shots really came into play here Ron, between the light conditions and the slim angle of view you had on what I suspect was a fairly fast moving subject heading in your direction must have made this a virtually impossible shot for most people, and to get such detail ...... what can I say other than extremely well done and thanks for sharing this inspirational image :^)

Registered on March 1, 2011, 154 Posts, 2083 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on June 26, 2011 at 4:10 PM

That is such a cool image! I love the cocked head!

Having it been at ISO 1250, with a 500mm and hand held, it looks very sharp!

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments