Just a single image today. I get my best Northern Harrier opportunities this time of year so I’ll likely be posting a few more shots of them over the next weeks. I hope you don’t tire of them…
1/1250, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light, not baited, set up or called in
This bird was coming in for a landing but changed its mind right after this shot was taken five days ago. There were two dead, frozen fish near this pond that some of the harriers would pick at occasionally. They’d been there for most of the week and it’s my presumption that they were there naturally as refuge managers haven’t yet done the fish kill to destroy the damaging and invasive carp.
I like the flight angle of the bird, the fully flared tail, the Phragmites stems in the corner and the pond reflections in the background.
Ron
Note: Some of you likely noticed that my blog was down from yesterday afternoon until later this morning – “hardware problems” at Network Solutions. I’ve not been a happy camper…
Note #2 (1/7/13 @ 6:30pm). I just now learned that one of the “fish” I mentioned above turned out to be a chicken that someone had obviously used to bait eagles and maybe harriers. Of the two “fish” I mentioned above, one was obviously a fish but from my vantage point I could only see pink flesh with the second one and assumed it to be another fish. Instead it was a damned chicken.
Here’s how I found out.
These baiters make me so angry I could spit. And worse…
Oh, how beautiful!
I went for several months only seeing females and/or juveniles of this species but have seen only mature males the last few weeks (none close enough for photos). It’s been rather a nice change.
Baiting and other unethical photography behavior hurts us all. What a shame!
Absolutely magnificent. I can fully appreciate all of the wingspread possible in this bird.
What a Magnificat shot! Thanks so much for sharing! Where we are, the Internet is very intermittent. :>)
Love the harrier shots Ron. Keep them coming. And I couldn’t believe the baiting!!! Some people….
I am joining in with everyone else. It would be a cold snowy day in hell before I would tire of these. And your commentary is invaluable as well. Thanks for both.
I followed the link – and was impressed (yet again) at your moderation.
GORGEOUS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey Ron, if you post the exact same photo tomorrow, I’ll like it just as much as today! Btw- thought of you yesterday while doing an inhumanely cold survey up in Snowville. We counted less than half the raptors from two weeks ago, and zero Harriers. Figured they moved south in search of more abundant prey and to pose for you at FB.
The harrier numbers have sure gone up since it turned so cold, Mike. Thanks for flushing them down my way!
Given your history on this blog, if you post a series of shots of the same bird species over the next few days, I expect each will be different lesson in composition, lighting, and action. I am looking forward to this.
Yeah, I do try to vary them when I can, Dwynn. Thanks for your confidence in me – hope it’s warranted…
Exquisite! Even Harriers every day would never be too much.
Thank you, Sharon.
Heck, no, Ron. Never get tired of them here. Bring ’em!
I hope you get some opportunities with them down there in Texas soon, Bob. I know you’ve been itching for them…
Tire of these photos? Are you kidding me? I enjoy your work immensely! Superior shots and great commentary and information!
Keep up this inspirational work Ron!
Thanks, Chuck. And I’m always happy to hear when someone enjoys the commentary too.
Tire of these photos? Uh, not likely. =) FABULOUS shot, wow.
I’m glad you like it, Biobabbler.