I got this harrier series two days ago on the same morning I photographed the American Kestrel vs. Merlin fight. I also photographed two other kestrels and a Red-tailed Hawk that morning so it was a good day for raptor photography.
The following eight photos are consecutive shots in a burst. There are no skips.
While perched this adult female Northern Harrier was pretty far away and nestled into the brush pile so I’m not particularly fond of my photos of her on the ground. My only hope was takeoff and flight shots and this time I got lucky. She didn’t even make me wait very long.
She lifted off and almost immediately…
began a turn to her left which resulted in her body hanging from her wings at an interesting angle.
Here I like the corner to corner diagonal of her wings.
The photo in the series where I got my best look at the underside of her wings and tail.
Of course I was disappointed to clip a wing in this photo. I’m just lucky that this is the only shot in the series where I clipped anything.
By now she’s built up a pretty good head of steam so she’s becoming increasingly difficult to keep in the frame.
This is the last shot I got where she’s sharp ‘enough’ and completely in frame. I do wish I’d been a little closer for better sharpness and detail but then I probably would have clipped or cut off even more body parts.
Bird photography nearly always involves compromise.
Ron
Super series of one of my favorites. She is a beauty. I did get a few decent shots of our gal yesterday morning, but nothing like these. Right now I am seeing raptors very often. Yesterday morning a Peregrine, a Cooper’s, a couple Red-tails, and the Harrier.
Could not respond yesterday morning due to internet down all day and all of northern AZ was out.
These are very nice, wishing her a long and healthy life!
Thanks April. Me too.
Hi Ron –
Really nice pictures! I’m curious about the burst speed – are we seeing pieces of two wing/tail flaps by the harrier, or are we missing a bunch?
Thanks for the images!
David Smith
David, burst rate was 10 frames/sec. I don’t think we’re missing much.
I’ve had to do some catch-up and am loving all the raptors in fight and flight modes! Yesterday’s Merlin v. Kestrel was a spectacular series … that last shot of Kestrel alone on her perch shows the absolute contempt she holds for territorial scofflaws. (I do love that 8th pic that shows the fabulous patterns of both birds’ feathers, top and bottom.)
Beautiful Harrier is no doubt just as tough but these images display her magnificence — still suggesting her fierceness.
Lucky us that you caught these raptors on camera! 😎
Thanks, Chris. I’m glad you enjoyed both posts.
Picture EC and me standing side by side, across continents with our jaws dropped in the dirt again! What a splendid series–yet again. It occurred to me that I’m not the one being ridiculously redundant. It’s YOU! You’re the one that keeps delivering outrageously wonderful images every day! 🙂
Not every day Laura but I do try my best. Thanks very much.
I would be more than happy to form a dropped jaw parade with you Laura – and we would have company. LOTS of company.
Count me in!
I’ll take that kind of compromise all day! 🙂 Wow is she magnificent! Ol’ Murph and the Bird Skunker were definitely sleeping in that morning.
The first shot reminds me of those old-time fan dancers. The lighter color on the leading edge of her wings suggest the proportion for human arms. The angle of her right wing looks so graceful.
And, of course, I keep going back to look at the diagonal shot. Next to a good wing fling, that’s my favorite bird pose.
Thanks very much, Marty. It’s been a long time since I’ve had a morning like that, and never with a Merlin.
Your compromises are to the benefit of us all.
I can’t pick a favorite: the series is really it.
No exposure specs for a couple of days?
Lyle, I left them out because my shutter speeds were pretty outrageous, even for me.
I was only shooting at ISO 500 but my SS was mostly in the area of 1/6400 and 1/8000. Have to admit though, since the harrier was quite a ways away my high SS was probably part of the reason these photos are as sharp as they are.
I love female Northern Harrier Hawks! She is so powerful. You have captured her strength and beauty perfectly. Thank you, Ron. The series is breathtaking.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Melanie. Thanks.
Life is a compromise.
And this series had very, very few of the pesky things which we all hope not to have to accept.
Wonderful. For you, and for us.
And yes, raptor roll, covers it well.
Thanks, EC. I’ll take this kind of raptor roll any old day.
As well as the ever present flight envy, I am also jealous of her flexibility. Graceful, beautiful and with a truly impressive armoury.
You have been on a raptor roll 😁
Can’t wait to see what’s next❗️
Have a great day 😜
I hope it lasts, Diana.
Wonderful series, Ron……..😀 Sure wouldn’t want those little “needle” talons grabbing hold of me! 😳 The contrast of the tans/browns and the black and whites is neat!
Needles indeed. Those suckers are sharp.
What a great day you had ! The bird photography gods were SO with you……
I wish you many more days like that one.
Even a few would be nice, Kris…. 🙂
Excellent series! Love the differences between her feet in the last photo – right foot looks so elegant and poised, left foot ready to snag some unsuspecting prey.
Kathy, in that last photo the curved talons on different toes meeting at the tips caught my eye. They almost look like they’re joined where they come together.
Incredible series of take off shots Ron, thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Charlotte.
Nice series. And good morning. I am happy to be the first to compliment you on your shots.
Stephen
And I’m happy to have you be the first. Thank you, Stephen and good morning to you.