Banking shots of Northern Harriers don’t come easy. Harriers are low fliers as they hunt and they’re notoriously difficult to get close to – typically they veer off long before they get close enough to the photographer for quality images. But occasionally when concentrating on the hunt one will come closer than usual before turning away and when it’s that close to a human it will often bank steeply and turn sharply in order to get away quickly.
When that happens the photographer is presented with a potentially spectacular though very difficult opportunity – to photograph the bird in a dramatic vertical position as it banks that reveals the ventral surface of the hawk in good light (if the sun’s low and behind you). Such an image can be a real eye-catcher but it’s difficult to get because as the bird banks it changes direction very quickly and sharp focus is easily lost (or the bird is partially or completely out of frame before you even have time to push the shutter).
But yesterday morning at Farmington Bay I was able to get that shot and that single image made the trip up north worth it. Here’s what happened…
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I parked my pickup near a spot where harriers often hunt and just waited to see what might develop. Eventually this harrier came along as it hunted over the tall phragmites but it approached me almost head-on as it was looking down for prey which is far from an ideal flight posture. As it came in closer I knew it was likely to bank sharply but anticipating in which direction is impossible so I just braced myself and hoped that my reflexes would be fast enough and that I would be able to keep it in focus when it happened.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Just out of luck I pushed the shutter at the very beginning of the bank and got a little better light under the wings…
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
but this is the shot I was after – a full bank with the hawk in a near vertical position and giving me good eye contact. And I even got the bird sharp.
Some of its feathers are a little ratty-looking and I wish I had the horizon at the bottom of the frame to anchor the bird but I’m not complaining.
Ron
Beautiful shot of a difficult bird; and, yes, hearing how you got the shot adds to the pleasure of viewing it.
Since no one seems to have mentioned it; it’s an immature Harrier showing the relatively even light brown tone on the breast and belly. Cheers! 🙂
Aren’t the immature tail and primaries a bit softer at the ends than the adults? I wonder why that’s useful to the ones learning to fly and hunt.
Thanks for pointing that out, Phyllis.
Really nice series.
Thanks a lot, Stephanie.
Late to the party (though it isn’t 6am here). I can only add my pleas to everyone else’s. Keep doing just what you are doing. Please.
You can be late to my party any ol’ day, EC. Aussies get a special pass! And yes, I hope to keep doing what I’m doing.
Breathtakingly beautiful harrier photo Ron!!! I agree with everything Patty said.
I can just imagine the smile on your face after the “fly by”occurred and you reviewed your photos while sitting in your truck!
Sounds like you were right there with me, Pamela – that’s exactly what I did! But when you’re looking on that small screen you never know for sure how sharp the shot is so I had to wait until I got home to find out.
What a treat to have such beautiful light too Ron. You used it your advantage in showcasing this beautiful bird! Love the backstory too!
Yes, the light made a big difference here, Nancy. It was early in the morning and the sun was behind me.
I’m with Patty–those tattered tail feathers ( and tips of flight feathers ) are the bird’s own “backstory”—-I like the realism they convey—-perfection is often less interesting ( to me, anyway )
Well said, Kris and I agree. Folks buying photos often want perfection though – you know, “the customer is always right…”
I’m going to be boring and agree with everyone else: love the backstories! These are some of my favorite birds. There’s just something about their owlish faces when they turn to look at you.
Thanks so much for all the technical information, too. I’m still wrestling with my DSLR, and having some idea of what settings to use is incredibly valuable to me. Now, if I can just figure out how to wrangle my camera, my binoculars, and my reading glasses….
Ha, you can’t imagine how much of a dork I am about my glasses, Catherine. Sometimes I have a pair of reading glasses on and a pair of sunglasses on the top of my head, another pair hanging from my shirt and more in the glove box and still can’t find the pair I want. I’m constantly losing them so I just buy cheap ones…
I totally agree about the backstory – reading about how you came to get the shot (or shots) is what draws me to your blog each day.
Linda, I’m glad to get all the positive feedback about the backstory, including yours. At least I’m apparently doing that part right! Thanks.
You can add me to the list of those who like knowing the backstory. Even though I’m not a real photographer, I appreciate all the information you share about photography as well as all the biology stuff.
Good to know, Susan. Thanks.
Outstanding!! And allow me to echo what Christine Bogdanowicz said! Keep on doing what you do! It’s spectacular!
“Keep on doing what you do!”
Thanks, Laura. I will.
Congratulations! All your patience has paid off. These are all beautiful, but especially the last one.
That’s my favorite also, Susan. By far.
Those are absolutely beautiful shots Ron.
Thank you, Colin.
Fabulous, fabulous Ron! What a spectacular image of a wonderfully beautiful bird 😉 And yes, please do keep telling your stories–you have a knack for both photography and story-telling for sure. I always appreciate your thoughts behind getting the shot, the actual specs, the natural history facts and lots more. Makes me feel that I’m right there with you in that pick-up truck. It’s a nice way to start the day…
“It’s a nice way to start the day…”
And it’s nice to know that you feel that way, Christine. Thanks a lot.
Wonderful shots Ron, these are really difficult to get close to and shoot as you said.
Charlotte
Yup, difficult to get close to and they also have the aggravating habit of “deliberately” flying between the viewer and the sun! Thanks, Charlotte.
PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE continue with the combination of “backstory” and photos…it’s one of the major reasons your blog is so addictive, meaningful, and special! Spectacular, amazing images and interesting, educational information accomplished with a ton of patience and without a trace of arrogance!!! Can’t be beatI. I love all three of these images…the first, with the intense downward focus, scanning the ground for prey, the essence of Harrier, the second, just a beautiful shot, and the magnificent third of the banking bird–showing the bird’s ventral side, and previous action implied by those tattered tail feathers…fantastic!!!
“PLEASE continue with the combination of “backstory” and photos”
I’m sure I will, Patty – it just fits my style I guess. But I appreciate the confirmation that you like it.
So happy for you, Ron!! It is a beautiful capture of this Harrier!! I also like the 2nd photo BUT – the third is the heart stopper – for sure!! What a reward for your patience & quick finger action!!
Thank you, Jo Ann. Sometimes you’re rewarded and sometimes you’re not but this time I liked the result.
Great shot, Ron! 🙂 A beautiful bird even if the tail a few other feathers are a bit ratty. I also REALLY appreciate the “backstory”. So much more interesting that way. 🙂
” also REALLY appreciate the “backstory”.”
Good to know, Judy. Thanks.
Lovely Ron, thank you for the backstory and sharing such wonderful photos 🙂
I appreciate your comment about the “backstory”, Zaphir. Sometimes I wonder if I shouldn’t just present the image and let it go at that but I know that if roles were reversed I’d enjoy knowing some of the background so I often provide it.
I’m not complaining either Ron. Great shot !!!
I’m glad you like it Jeff. Thanks.