A Frosty Northern Harrier Takeoff And Flight In Very Warm Light

The combination of cold frost and warm light almost sounds like a contradiction but those were the conditions I was dealing with yesterday morning soon after dawn.

The following seven photos are sequential in a burst without any skips.

 

1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in

It was about 20° F. so virtually everything was covered with frost when I spotted this adult female Northern Harrier hunkered down in the vegetation. She wasn’t particularly close but the light angle was good so I drove by her and then turned my pickup around so I could photograph her out my window. As I was approaching she called out a couple of times which often means they’re about to take off but thankfully she decided against it and allowed me to stop my pickup and get her in my viewfinder.

All that busy, frost covered vegetation in the very warm light might be a less than ideal combination but it’s what I had to deal with so I settled in and waited for her to take off..

 

 

1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in

This stretched-out posture, the ‘wing fling’, illustrates the unusually long wings that accompany the long tail of Northern Harriers.

 

 

1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in

The first downstroke of her wings lifted her light body some distance off the ground.

 

 

1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in

Now she’s becoming more isolated from all that busy vegetation. Even though her shadow on the ground isn’t sharply defined, it’s complete and I like having it there. Among other things I think it helps to balance the composition.

 

 

1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in

Dang, I clipped about four pixels of wingtip in this shot. Following a long-winged bird in flight at these focal lengths isn’t easy but it still stings when I clip body parts.

 

 

1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in

Here she was so close to the left frame edge I had to crop vertically to get a composition that was (barely) acceptable.

 

 

1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in

The last shot in the series. I got two more but by then I was beginning to lose sharp focus on her so I’m not including either one.

 

Thankfully harrier numbers in northern Utah seem to be up this year, after several years of fewer than usual birds. I’ve been seeing more and more American Kestrels and Rough-legged Hawks and Bald Eagles are arriving in reasonably good numbers too. Just last night an even dozen eagles were reported at Willard Bay.

If we ever get any snow maybe, just maybe, it’ll be a good winter for raptors. It’s been a while.

Ron

 

33 Comments

  1. HI Ron,
    After following your blog for quite some time, I have to say that although the Canon 7 D mk II is often referred to as an “outdated camera”, it seems to be doing a fine job on your incredible images! And this coming from a Nikon shooter…

  2. These are wonderful!

  3. Frosty+sunny+Harrier+camera+Ron= a beaut of a shoot.
    Sound like you had a species-rich day. Looking forward to seeing them.

  4. So interesting, too, what’s happening with her feet/legs in each shot. Whew!

  5. Those wings are incredible. Beautiful color and composition in the photos. I’ve had a female harrier hunting behind my house in Fort Collins most days for about a month now. I haven’t seen a male in years, but I keep hoping one will show up again.

  6. Wonderful series — and I especially like the “wing fling” because it also exposes that beautiful white rump of hers! Glad to know it appears numbers are up for several raptors in your area — hope you’ll be seeing many of them through your lens in the coming months! 😎

    • Chris, I saw even more raptors this morning. Got my first Bald Eagle shots of the year too but they probably aren’t exemplary. Haven’t seen them yet.

  7. I am very, very happy to join the chorus of admiration this morning. Admiration for this glorious bird, and for your skills.

  8. It is as if I was behind the lens! Thank you for the burst!

  9. Magnificent creature—not hard to understand why the Harrier is your
    license-plate “pin-up” !

  10. Hi Ron – great flight series! My husband is now following your blog, his comments this morning “oh wow” “check out those wings!” “Oh wow again!” “Have never seen a Harrier – it’s awesome!” You now have virtual tea with us at the breakfast table. Welcome to our family 😊.

  11. Arwen Professional Joy Seeker

    I love the blend of colors here. It’s the golden hour. 🙂 And she’s the leading lady.

  12. Beautiful series. Those long wings are amazing. You certainly got the best of the takeoff process! Personally I think the wings on all raptors are exceptional…I never tire of watching their take-offs. Seems like a decent year here for all of them also. I spotted my first male of the season which made my week.

  13. WOW! Beautiful series! They do seem to be “all wings” and tail” when they “unfold”.😀 Beautiful detail on the underside of the wings particularly in the 3rd photo…. Glad they are showing up in numbers that indicate they are at least “OK” for now.

    • Judy, “all wings and tail” describes harriers pretty well. Combined with their light body they almost seem to float on the air when they’re hunting.

  14. Everett F Sanborn

    Excellent series of one of my favorites. Give her a high-five for being out there hunting in 20 degree weather, and same for our photographer for shooting out that open truck window. We seem to have our usual two or three, but again have yet to see a male.

    • Thanks Everett. The speed at which my left hand (sticking out the window to help stabilize my lens) can become numb with cold often surprises me. It’s past time for a glove on that hand!

  15. What a great series Ron !! Exceptional shots !!

  16. Beautiful shots of my favourite bird. Unfortunately they have disappeared from my area.

    • That is unfortunate indeed. For the last several years I’ve been concerned about our harriers too but thankfully I’m seeing signs of a potential comeback. Thanks, John.

      • Glad to hear there is cause for optimism. Their flight pattern is very unique and It was a source of joy to me to watch them on the hunt.

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