The light colors of the ‘Gray Ghost’ are a huge advantage to the photographer with flight shots in low light.
1/1250, f/5.6, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 Extender, not baited, set up or called in
This photo was taken 10 years ago, on November 18, 2010, at Farmington Bay WMA so I don’t remember all of the circumstances in which it was taken. But based on my camera settings, shutter speed and the lack of distinct shadows it was a typical overcast winter day at Farmington. In the low light I wouldn’t have this much detail in the feathers if this adult male had been a much darker female or juvenile male and their dark eyes would have been lifeless photon traps. But the colorful light eye of the adult male largely makes up for the lack of a catch light in the low light.
In addition, at 1/1250 I’m at or very near the shutter speed limit for getting sharp flight shots of a bird this size. If the harrier had been a much darker female or juvenile male it would have slowed my shutter speed even more and the bird would almost certainly have been soft. So rather than getting just another mediocre harrier flight shot in low light the colors of the adult male allowed me to get one I like very much.
On mornings like this one I often stay home rather than go out shooting but this shot is a reminder that depending on the circumstances high quality photos are often a distinct possibility even in poor light.
Ron
Note:
The subject of today’s post came to mind because of our recent overcast skies that have kept me from going out shooting and posting new photos. I needed the reminder that poor light doesn’t necessarily preclude getting quality photos of birds. We had a storm move in last night but the forecast for most of next week is a good one for bird photography so hopefully I’ll be posting more new photos soon.
Grey Ghost is such an apt name! What a handsome bird!
Was grey here and even some rain in our city, but unfortunately, my garden is still dry. (Figured I might get some rain here because I washed my car yesterday.)
An absolutely beautiful portrait Ron!😊
Thanks very much, John.
That is a beautiful picture of a beautiful bird. I have never seen one in person. Great shot.
Thank you, Susan.
Your Harrier images never fail to thrill … such a magnificent raptor, Gray Ghost or otherwise! I really like the way his “eyebrow” sort of mimics the line of the left wing’s leading edge (in reverse, I guess). It really stands out here.
In other exciting news, I had TWO Green-tailed Towhees in my backyard this morning! Before today, I’d only ever seen them on your blog. So RARE for my area, apparently, that I had to submit a “special report” to eBird because I couldn’t record the sighting otherwise! (Why I’m so late getting here today.) Anyway, what remarkable-looking birds — so much more colorful than our CA Towhees. I’m hoping I’ll see more of them before they decide they need shrubbier, more desert-like habitat! 😎
That sure is exciting about your Sage Thrashers, Chris. I’m glad you reported them.
I agree — I see males wayyyy less often than females! I forget how beautiful they are. Thanks, Ron.
Ellen, I think both sexes are beautiful but there’s just something about those males.
Truly spectacular.
And a reminder that a grey day can be made sooooo much brighter.
Thanks Ron.
Thank you, EC.
An ethereal feel about this image, as the birds name suggests. Nice touch with the white highlights on the tail and left wing tips. My first thought was backlighting , but on a cloudy day?
I think I now know the inspiration for the grappling hook design.
Those sharp talons are something aren’t they Lyle.
Very Nice. That was the exact challenge at Antelope Island yesterday with most of my photos. There was a great male harrier flying slow and low along the road yesterday but the traffic was so intense I couldn’t get a shot off, I was even afraid the bird would get hit, he crossed over the road so often.
I know, when that happens it’s enormously frustrating.
You’re brave to be on the island on a Saturday, especially with a new road open that everyone wants to explore.
Once again I get to see a beautiful bird that i would have never seen, if it weren’t for your photos. What a great shot. Thanks, Ron.
I hope you get to see them some day, Nina. They’re unique and beautiful birds.
Do you know the status of the Harrier Hawk. I worry because we used to have several pairs mating each year in the reed beds at the mouth of the Fraser, every year. Haven’t seen any for two seasons now. They were a beloved sight.
John, here’s what Cornell has to say on the subject:
“In North America, Northern Harrier populations have declined in recent decades, but the species is not on Federal Endangered or Threatened lists, nor is it included on the Partners in Flight Watch List (146). That said, it is listed as Endangered in many states (e.g., Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Missouri, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Rhode Island), as Threatened in other states (e.g., Tennessee, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and New York), and as a Species of Special Concern in Vermont, Michigan, and Wisconsin (32, 2, 33). Northern Harrier is a species of management concern in significant portions of the species’ range in the United States, primarily because of its dependence on declining wetland and undisturbed grassland habitats (151). Protected under Migratory Bird Treaty Act of 1972.
Thanks for getting back so quickly, Ron. Very sad to hear. Harriers are a magnificent sight on a morning walk, with their very particular hunting style.
Yes, that has been my observation.
Beautiful shot!
Stay safe!
Thanks, Dick.
This is so beautiful. The bird and your photography, it brings me joy
Thank You,
Kaye
Park City, UT
Thanks so much, Kaye.
So true about the light. Mornings like this are often an invitation to stay home, but you just never know what opportunities such as this that you might be missing. This is a gorgeous photo. I am always envious when you show your Grey Ghost photos. As I have mentioned previously we just have this one female and although beautiful I sure would love to see her acquire a mate.
Everett, given the subject of this post I almost felt obligated to go shooting this morning, even though we were socked in with clouds. Sure glad I didn’t because we’re having a near-blizzard out there, at least we were a few minutes ago.
This storm is also supposed to hit Colorado. Sure hope it helps with those terrible fires they’re having.
That is good news for the fires – hope it does happen – we might even have some showers tomorrow
Hadn’t notice the line on the lower throat……..
I noticed it during processing. I’m still not sure why it’s there but as I said it isn’t a processing artifact.
Ron– that is such a lovely shot–just filled with arcs –very “poetic”…
Thank you, Kris.
Really like this photo. One has to love that body position of hovering with the legs/feet dangling sharply looking for movement. 😍 I think I see a male about at a ratio of 1 to 6 or 7 females/juveniles…and then many times they are further away for me to get a good shot of. Guess that’s why they are special. He really stands out nicely against the dried grasses.
Kathy, some folks report never seeing adult males and I’m not sure why. I see them less often than females and juvie males but at Farmington at least adult males have been fairly common for years.
Beautiful! They do show up well in low light. 😀 Love the eye circles and the bit of rust on the nap of the neck!
Sure beats the storm I was trying to photograph in yesterday! Still not sure on the ID of the raptor was – Golden/Immature Bald/huge hawk?? Why was it “walking” in the deep snow? +5 this morning.
Judy, for pixel peepers that rusty color also shows up as a very thin rusty red line at the margin of the lower throat and background. At first I thought it was a processing artifact (sharpening halo?) but it isn’t because it’s also present in the RAW file and in other photos of the same bird.