This image was taken in what I thought were probably impossible conditions to get a sharp shot. Normally it isn’t a shot that I’d even attempt.
1/8000, 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
Yesterday morning I was driving about 25 mph on a rough and bumpy dirt road (Farmington Bay WMA) as this Northern Harrier flew alongside of me. It was hunting along the road in the same direction I was going and if I stopped the hawk would be long gone. I just kept looking at the bird out the window in frustration and finally decided to steer with my knee, stick my lens out and fire away, knowing full well that I’d most likely get blurry shots if I could even get and keep the bird in my viewfinder with my pickup bouncing around like it was. Anyone with experience with super-telephoto lenses knows that at 1120 mm (500mm lens x 1.4 tc x 1.6 crop factor of the Mark II) my work was cut out for me.
I was surprised that I got several sharp to very sharp shots of the bird under these conditions. This one is among my favorites because the banking flight posture allows a good look at the dorsal plumage in good light. I believe that it was the combination of my super fast shutter speed (1/8000 sec) and the very efficient and advanced image stabilization (IS) of the relatively new Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM lens that allowed me to get the sharpness I did under those conditions. And the impressive autofocus capabilities of new 7D Mark II sure didn’t hurt. About my only job was to get the bird in the viewfinder.
Well… and to stay on the road.
Ron
Whoa. This is such a great shot!
Absolutely unbelievable Ron! I don’t know how you do it!
Charlotte
Looks like I’m back…hmmmmm. Why not drive with your knees? I know someone who works for a big box building materials store that drives with his knees because he has no hands. But, I’ll bet donuts to dollars, he can’t take photos as good as yours…even with an adaptor.
Just another day at the office – “Ron-style”!
Superb photograph elevated to amazing status now that the details are known. What beautiful raptors those guys are!
Take care of the eye!
Hi Keep up the sending wonderful pictures! great photo!! Have a special day shooting.
Ron, you never disappoint. Great shot.
The driving part leaves me shaking my head… But, obviously the effort was worth it. Beautiful shot. Glad I wasn’t in the vehicle at the time. 🙂
Aww, c’mon, Susan. Knowing you I suspect you’d have been more interested in the hawk flying so close rather than in your potential demise from my driving…
It’s probably a toss-up, Ron. BTW, glad to know that your eye problem isn’t serious. I think you and I are a lot a like, in not wanting to let go of doing the things we find necessary. Hope your eye recovers well, anyway. 🙂
Fantastic! Glad you lived to tell!
Me too, Debbie!
One of my friends is prone to those sponstaneous hemorrhages. Very, very scary. Glad that it turned out so well…
Love that shot and am as much in awe of your driving skills as I am of the photographic magic.
EC, my driving skills were somewhat in question during this episode. Got Mia’s attention (in the back seat), that’s for sure. There’s no real worry about traffic on that “road” this time of year and at that time of morning but there’s ponds very close and I don’t think she wanted to go swimming…
Even those of us who are not skilled photogs can appreciate the skill with which you got this shot, Ron. Stunning! What a great looking bird. And so glad your eye problem is (apparently) not a long-term obstacle. Maybe you need to give it a little rest?
Thanks very much, Chris. Pretty hard to “give it a little rest” when I’m looking through a viewfinder or at my computer screen much of the day. But I know what you mean – priorities! The eye is actually looking and feeling better tonight.
Wow. So glad to hear that your eye is OK. How frightening! Your eyes are in GREAT demand, so thank goodness it was merely, gulp, a Spontaneous Hemorrhage!!!
“Your eyes are in GREAT demand”
Thanks very much, Deborah. I’m kind’a fond of them myself!
Glad you are okay Ron.
Thanks, John. It was a little scary – us photographers need to be able to see…
I think Canon better sign you on as a part of their photographic stable, an absolutely great photo, pushing the limit on every front.
“I think Canon better sign you on as a part of their photographic stable”
I don’t think so, that sounds like work! I do this for fun, but thanks very much for the endorsement.
I’d say your extensive long-lens experience had something to do with your success, too.
Perhaps, Justine. But I thought I’d also give some of the credit where credit is due.
What a great endorsement of the camera and your years of experience and pinch-hitting! Great shot…
Thanks very much, Alison.
i will remember to pop up to 8000 – good knee work ron
Barb, I forgot to say in my text that this image was moderately underexposed in camera, which gave me some extra shutter speed. I increased exposure in post processing. That’s a technique I sometimes deliberately use in low light situations to get more SS but this time it was accidental.
Now that is what I call an impossible shot! VERY WELL DONE.
I thought it was impossible too, Len. Not sure why I even tried it – probably out of frustration with that bird and I eyeball to eyeball to each other for as long as we were.
Stunning detail and clarity. Makes me a bit greenish about your camera set up. And your mad skills, of course.
Thanks, Dan. I was hoping I didn’t come across as gloating about the new gear but since I think it made a significant difference in getting the shot I wanted to mention it. Many of my readers are photographers and since this gear isn’t cheap, many of them like to get first hand reports of how well it works in the field before (possibly) investing in it.
Such a great capture Ron ! The character in the Harrier face is amazing. You have a great eye and it’s awesome that you have the equipment to fulfill you vision.
John, the timing of your comment that I “have a great eye” struck a cord. I’ve been very worried about one of my eyes for three days now – much of it turned blood red under the cornea almost instantly and without being injured. Finally got to in to see my ophthalmologist this morning and it turns out that I have a spontaneous hemorrhage. Not uncommon and generally pretty harmless but it sure got my attention! I’m much relieved.