The Northern Harrier is arguably my favorite subject and I tend to post images of them often. Their dramatic sexual dimorphism in plumage color almost makes it seem as if I’m photographing two different species when I compare adult males to females.
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 800, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in, sliver of canvas added at right for composition
This adult male (the “Gray Ghost”) was hunting low and slow as indicated by the splayed tail and hanging legs. As you can see from my camera settings the light was low and at f.5.6 I had very little depth of field. I was lucky that the birds wings were almost parallel to me, otherwise they would have been badly out of focus.
Northern Harriers are particularly well adapted to slow flight while hunting. This from Birds of North America Online:
“Has low wing-loading and high wing length-to-width ratios for a diurnal raptor. These features, along with wing-slotting, prominent alulas, and pronounced camber, enhance aerodynamic efficiency and the conservation of power, particularly at low flight speeds.”
I’ve posted other images of this male previously but I liked this straight out wing position for the sake of variety.
Ron
Patty, I know what you mean. Boy I’m glad that I’m not some little furry critter trying to get on with my day. I imagine
the “jaws” sound track and it makes my stomach clutch!
Hi Ron,
Your postings are the first thing I look for every day when scanning through my emails. Just so you know, at a recent local Audubon Society meeting, we discussed how much we all LOVE your photos AND your interesting commentary! We are all big fans!
What a nice comment to end a difficult day with, Pamela. Thanks, I definitely needed that!
They’re certainly a beautiful bird. Are they around in January/February?
Sonja, they’re here year-round but they’re much easier to photograph in winter.
Thank you for all the thoughtful comments, everyone. My server has been down for much of the day so I suspect many of you have been frustrated trying to get onto my blog. I apologize and hope that the issues are now behind us.
Diana – I was just lucky not to clip the wings on this shot. I came very close, thus the added canvas on the right.
I am one who had to persist to see the photo, but it was well worth it. I wonder if we have the same server? My emails from my website server were down most of the day, and when they finally got straight was when I was able to get onto your site. This is a gorgeous photo.
Susan, Blue Host was down for much of the day and it created quite the mess. It was a stressful day as a result, so I’m having a toddy. Or two…
Guess it’s not the same host. Too bad we had to miss our wine and chocolate snack today. So please enjoy your toddies for us, too. 🙂
Love your harriers! Keep em coming!
Stunning – and even at my size and distance, that gaze is intimidating.
I love watching Harriers hunt. My favorite moves are the most dramatic, when alulas protrude and the primaries and tail are fully fanned. I really am in awe at how you get so many sharp and engaging Harrier photos. I love to see it Ron, keep them coming.
Ron, I cannot understand how you did not clip one wing or the other. He is so spread out and looking/hunting so intently. Thanks for the piece on harrier anatomy. I went back to your photo and looked at the spread wing length compared to the body length. Pretty amazing.
I too love the eyes. Such an intent look. Great shot.
Wow! Love intense focus of those yellow eyes and the feet hanging down. Thanks so much!
OOOOhhh! I feel like he’s looking right at me…and, as a vole, it makes me pretty darned nervous! Those claws all set to grab!!!
Beautiful clear precise shot Ron, much appreciated.