Male Northern Harrier

[gail bisson]

• Canon EOS-1D X
• EF600mm f/4L IS II USM +2x III
• ƒ/9
• 1200mm
• 1/2500s
• ISO 1000
• Gail Bisson
• Flash not fired
• Mon, 07 September 2015 4:39 PM
• Gail Bisson
• Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.7 (Macintosh)

I have seen "the grey ghost" in the past but this is the first time I manged to be close enough to get a half decent shot.
I got 6 sharp images as he flew by but this was the only one where I was able to show the eye. The harrier is usually looking down at the ground for prey and not interested in posing for the photographer.
I wish the tip of the beak had cleared the far wing .
Canon 1Dx
600mm and 2X
ISO 1000 SS 1/2500 F 9.0
LOTS of PP on this one. I added 2% canvas on top of frame and cloned out some birch tree trunks that really drew the eye away and intersected the wing. I also filled in the black areas with foliage. I was also underexposed by a half stop.
Crop to ~65% FF.
I will post the original as well to "keep me honest!"
Comments and critiques always appreciated and learned from with thanks,
Gail

 

[gail bisson]

• Canon EOS-1D X
• EF600mm f/4L IS II USM +2x III
• ƒ/9
• 1200mm
• 1/2500s
• ISO 1000
• Gail Bisson
• Flash not fired
• Mon, 07 September 2015 4:39 PM
• Gail Bisson
• Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.7 (Macintosh)

Here is the RAW- unprocessed.

 

[Geoff Newhouse]

Great work nailing the elusive GG. I agree that beak clearing the wing would be ideal and a better head turn towards us....I actually think one of the shots with him staring down might even work better than this one with the head looking away from us. Here the head angle is sort of the failing part of the shot but at least with the head scanning the ground we would have a behavioural shot that may work better. None the less, the image is very nice and you have done a good job on PP to bring out the best of it.

TFS
Geoff

 

[Bill Dix]

Hi Gail. Your self-critique noted any issues I might have had. Good job catching this fellow close up. The Northern Harrier is one of my nemesis birds; I have enough trouble getting close to the females. Only rarely do I see a male (one flew right over my head while I was out on my bike last week), and I've never been able to photograph one.

 

[Shawn Zierman]

Sweet eye level image of the grey ghost...The colors look more true in the RAW image, and I prefer all aspects of that image compared with the OP, except for the tightness on top. The space for the subject to fly into and the overall composition of the unprocessed RAW is quite pleasing to my eye, as are the background elements like the tree trunks. It will be interesting to read other's opinions....

 

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent flight shot, Gail.

Regards,
Satish.

 

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Nice PP work and a decent pose. Love the dark BG. I do wish the head wasn't turned away and the far wing position was better

 

[William Dickson]

Great capture Gail. I have never been close enough to a harrier to get an image as good as this. I like the flight pose and the BG 'fits' nicely. Lovely detail on the bird. Nice one.

Will

 

[David Salem]

A you always say, it's nice to see the PP work in the before and after frames. Good Job. Nice capture of the elusive ghost. Not the best HA but not the worst. The eye is visible and I like the BG colors. Well done and keep after him.
P.S. He is not in greatest feather shape because he in molting heavily. Give him another month or two and he will be in his prime.

 

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Gail, well done in getting this fast flyer in the frame. We have a great view of the near wing, and although you have mentioned the HA, the eye is still very visible, and pops nicely against the lighter plumage. Good PP work to sort out the BG, and canvas extension. Hope you get to see him again.

 

[Grace Scalzo]

Better than anything that I have of this species. I like the op but see a slight green cast on the bird.

 

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

You did a good job with PP. It is not easy to get near our Aussie harriers either.
My best efforts were in p1ss poor light and rain! AAAAAHHHHHHH!! I had them FILLING THE FRAME at 25 meters.

Love the look and the light. You have some beautiful details on this bird.
One day if I travel to the USA, I'd be happy even to just try and photograph this ghost (and his mate).
Thanks for sharing