Another Head Turn

Gallery: AvianPosted December 21, 2011244 views10 comments

Same harrier as the last post, just a different head turn. Of course, when he had the absolute perfect head turn, the nictitating membrane was half over his eye.

7D, 300mm IS f4 + 1.4TC, hand held, f8, 1/1600, iso 500, Av mode with no compensation, normal processing in CS4. I rotated it 2 degrees counterclockwise to straighten the post and cropped a bit off the top in addition to that necessary for the rotation.

As always I really appreciate your comments and criticisms. I hope you all have a great holiday season and beautiful light with lots of birds in 2012.

Comments

10 comments

Comment posted by John Blumenkamp on December 22, 2011 at 12:54 AM

Gorgeous capture of this awesome harrier Dennis. I really like the uniform background, and the head turn is fine with me. If anything I could go for more room all around, with a little extra along the right side of the frame.

Registered on February 26, 2011, 58 Posts, 313 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on December 22, 2011 at 6:42 AM

I agree a little more room around but still a fine study.
JohnR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on December 22, 2011 at 7:32 AM

A very neat shot Dennis, great light and the hawk is tack sharp. I like the background, especially the copper band in lower part of the frame, which works well with the rusted perch. I like the comp as posted.

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by William Bickle on December 22, 2011 at 1:00 PM

Hello Dennis

Beautiful capture with that detailed Head,Eye, & area. A very nice detailed image. Even on a rusty fence post.

TFS

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on December 22, 2011 at 2:07 PM

Another nice pose from the harrier!
Seems a little tight in the frame to me also.
Happy holidays!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 22, 2011 at 8:33 PM

Really nice detail and colors. I agree with the tightness comments but remember what you had to deal with up top. I know full well the "scourge of the membrane" - yesterday I had a wonderful, long experience with a RLH in flight very close to me while it was kiting in the wind. In my 7 (yes, count'em - seven) best shots the membrane was fully or partially closed!

My theory is that, because of the wind, the bird did it much more often.

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on December 22, 2011 at 9:00 PM

Great pose Dennis and the feather detail is outstanding!

Ray

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

Comment posted by David Haynes on December 22, 2011 at 9:22 PM

Dennis,
Another sweet image of this male. I like that you cropped out the background fencing in this one. Beautiful bird. Did you catch him in the air? Would love to see that one if you have it. Merry Christmas Dennis.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on December 23, 2011 at 9:49 PM

David Haynes wrote "Did you catch him in the air?" Afraid not, David. I was just shifting the camera back to horizontal in hopes of that, when he took off and flew directly away from me. Considering how often he visits, I'm frustrated that I only have one halfway decent flight shot of him.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on December 24, 2011 at 7:46 AM

Love the head turn here Dennis, I think I like this version best.
Best Wishes for a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

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