I don’t often get close to perched male harriers but on Antelope Island a couple of months ago this one made an exception for me.
1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
As I watched him through my lens a sudden wind gust almost blew him off of this pointed and precarious post perch and I liked some of the poses that resulted. It’s times like this that I appreciate the relatively fast burst rate of the Canon 7D.
I didn’t get a great look at the eye in this first shot but I liked the tail, wing and left foot positions that show his obvious attempt to recover stability on the perch.
1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
A better look at the eye and a higher wing position in this image…
1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
and in the very next frame he extends his left wing far out in front.
1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
Still recovering. Notice the bloody feet in these shots, most likely from his last vole meal.
1/3200, f/5.6, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
Finally, he’s recovered enough to give me direct eye contact.
1/2500, f/5.6, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
A little ruffled by the experience but in the end, all’s well.
This series is an example of why, after I’ve taken a few static shots of the bird, I like to bump my settings to give me enough shutter speed for faster action. You never know when you’ll get a take-off or any number of other maneuvers that look best if the action is frozen and the subject is sharp. I realize that it’s a trade-off but I guess that’s just my style…
Ron
Ron:
Fantastic sequence. It isn’t often that I can get my shutter speed that high. The light must be brighter in Utah … or through Cannon lenses.
Dave
I love the quality that 500mm Canon prime yields. I’ve been watching your images; great quality and framing.
Thank you Maria. Yes, I’ve been delighted with the images I’ve been able to get with the 500 f/4, though it was a challenge to learn how to use it well in the beginnning.
Didn’t Lawrence Welk also say, with a slight accent, “Thenk you boyzs” after each selection? Thenk you Ron.
I think he did Mike. Ahhh, Lawrence Welk – so corny and schmaltzy but good family memories for me too.
Exceptional! What a gorgeous bird and thank you for sharing.
Thank you Tana.
As Lawrence Welk used to say, “Wonderful, wonderful…”. Very, very nice. Thanks!
Thank you Dick. I remember ol’ Lawrence well. Growing up my folks were huge fans of his and I had an early crush on Janet Lennon of the Lennon Sisters when I was about 10 years old. I enjoyed your reference to Mr. “wunnerful, wunnerful”.
You will never get any complaints about your style from me. I learn so much from you – not only about birds, but also about photography. Megathanks.
Thank you so much Elephant’s Child. I’m glad my style works for you but I’m sure there are others that occasionally shake their heads and wonder about my settings for some shots…