Completing the series.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
A week ago today I photographed a male Northern Harrier as he was taking off from a post near the entrance station to the Antelope Island causeway. Five days ago I posted this photo as a standalone, thinking that none of my subsequent photos of him in flight were “sharp enough”. In the interim I changed my mind. I like two of them well enough to repost this one and include the other two as a three image series.
I like all three photos because of their dynamic takeoff and flight postures. Prior to takeoff the harrier had been facing to my left and into the fairly stiff south breeze but at the last second he fooled me, twisted on his perch, and headed…
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
in the direction he’s looking. After this shot in the burst I lost focus on him for a single frame but…
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 640, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
reacquired focus for one more photo before he was traveling so fast and erratically I began to cut off body parts.
The dark background is an asphalt parking lot that I thought I’d hate but I ended up liking the ‘gray on gray’ effect. I think his flight posture in all three photos accurately represents how fast he was accelerating and provides a (valid?) excuse for beginning to cut off body parts.
This is a series I wish I had another chance at. If I’d known he was going to twist and take off in the opposite direction I expected him to I’d probably have more flight shots of him that I like.
But if there’s one thing I’ve learned in 14 years of attempting flight shots it’s that in bird photography there are no do-overs. You get it right the first time or you just don’t get it.
Ron
Ron, in my opinion, the first photo is the perfect bird portrait. His powerful balletic pose would make Baryshnikov weep.
I’m glad you like it that much, Mikal. I hope Mikhail would be weeping with joy.
So glad you took another look! These are three marvelous shots! Looking at his talons, I see that both of you had a successful morning.
Thanks, Marty. Yup, he gobbled down a vole just before he took off.
The 3rd photo really brought out the grey against grey background. Who thought asphalt could look that good! I also was impressed with the full-take off speed that was apparent in the photo!
“Who thought asphalt could look that good?”
I had the same reaction, Skip. Of course it helped that it didn’t have any parking spaces painted on it.
Spectacular shots Ron, Thanks for sharing!
Charlotte Norton
Thanks, Charlotte.
No do-overs? But you are the Professor! That darn bird ought to turn around and do it again. 😀 😀 😀
Arwen, I’ve submitted requests, sometimes including cuss words, for them to do it again but I never get any takers.
I think they are wonderful and you are right about do overs!
Thanks, April.
OK, major Peregrine and Red-tail fan that I am, I have to admit if I could have these 3 images as a triptych I’d be more than happy to display this magnificent Gray Ghost in my house! And much as I like the first photo, I am really appreciating all the elements of this “elegant biomorphic aircraft” Michael described in the last photo. Thank goodness you decided to give them all a really good look!
“Thank goodness you decided to give them all a really good look”
It was close, Chris. I just happened upon these last two images again last night and thought hmmmm…
This series would look really good on a wall!
Perhaps you could help me convince Dr D to give this fan a significant “senior discount” since it would cost a small fortune to properly frame them! 😂
OK, Chris – I can take a hint…
Let me get through this surgery thing (assuming it actually happens) and some time for recovery and we’ll look into some prints for you of this series. But you’ll have to remind me because with everything going on I’m sure I’ll forget.
Oh my goodness! SERIOUSLY? That’s a total stunner! I may have to drain my IRA , so yes, let’s talk about this when you are through with all the unpleasantness and back to (vastly improved) health. Thank you kind sir! 😎
Don’t lose any sleep over your IRA.
😂 (sadly, I’m losing more sleep with the crazy ups and downs of the market these days!)
Did you see if he was doing his sky dance? It’s the right time of year, I think.
Meg, I’ve seen harriers sky dancing several times in the last couple of weeks but this guy had just finished a meal on the post and wasn’t in the dancin’ mood.
Thanks for posting the series Ron. I like his flight posture in the new ones, especially the last. And neat to see what appears to be a very focused gaze between the second and the third – looks like he has a target in mind.
I’m curious if it was particularly windy when you took these? He seems to be working pretty hard on the takeoff, but maybe he’s just in a hurry to get to his objective?
Bill, there was a breeze from the south, my left.
I am soooo glad that Captain (which is an understatement) Picky looked again. And changed his mind. On the pickiness front you are a multi-star general.
No there are no do-overs, but a rethink and appraisal has given you (and us) some gems.
I actually appreciate the promotion, EC. Though I’ll admit, I take it too far sometimes.
Truthfully, I’m thinking you’re the Commander-in-Chief! 😂
🙂
Great again, love the feet in the first two. They really glow.
Thanks, Jo.
Dramatic bird, dramatic side light – gorgeous! Very glad you decided to show us the followup poses. Thanks!
Carolyn, that sidelight generally did the bird no favors until it took off. I got lucky.
That top photo is beautiful, really captures the grace of the bird. Thank you!
Thanks, Stephanie.
Glad you decided to bring these back. Loved the first one the first time and even more now with the two following shots. I would never have thought that gray background was an asphalt parking lot. That last shot is what some little creature running along the ground sees before it is swooped up for breakfast.
Your last line is so true – they generally don’t fly back back and give you another try.
“they generally don’t fly back back and give you another try”
Exactly, Everett. It happens but very rarely, at least to me.
The overall muted colors of the Harrier’s feathers and the background are a dramatic contrast to the eyes and feet.
He’s focused on his mission and woe to the prey who crosses his path. Glad you reconsidered it as a series.
Thanks, Lyle. I’m glad you agree it was worth reposting the first photo to include it in a series.
There is no “take 2” for sure! I really like the action in the series.
Good. Thanks, Bruce.
A gorgeous trio –the “change of mind”– and direction— in the middle
shot is hard to comprehend, kinetically, from a human’s lumpen perspective.
For my taste, shot #1 is the essence of extended grace…….a wonderful
series –it already lifted my morning perspective, just to see it !
#1 is probably my favorite too, Kris. But I also like seeing the series.
What a series. Late to work again as I ponder the mysteries of flight. Lots of “calculations” involved in all those moving parts. Boeing – take notice. And the colors – also delaying me. Birds.
Frances, when you get to work late blame it on the birds. They’ll understand…
Definitely “worthy” of making the post IMO! 🙂 Simply amazing contortions to do what it had in mind! The 2nd shot is magnificent as was the 1st posted earlier. Wouldn’t know what the background was if you hadn’t said.. No, “do overs” generally don’t happen with birds in flight… 😉
Judy, I even considered not photographing the bird because of the asphalt back there. Just goes to show, take the shot and decide later…
Looks like you got it right to me! Great series!
Thanks, Cindy.
Love that last shot. The overall shape of the bird created by the downward turned wings, the “gear” tucked-up, and the purposeful and concentrated focus of the eyes evoke a feeling of the takeoff of an otherworldly elegant biomorphic aircraft. There is a lot if kinetic energy created by the lines of the composition. This is ‘the keeper’. It’s pure art. well done!
Thanks very much, Michael. “Pure art” with an asphalt background – incongruous but I like it!