Northern Harrier in last light

[arash_hazeghi]

I am having fun with the 600 II and getting used to the longer FL. Here is a harrier bank shot in at sunset. The harrier being chased by a red-shouldered hawk and was banking at high speed. I had to use high ISO to keep the ss high and the 1D4 handled nicely.

115951

1D4 600 f/4 II + 1.4X TCIII f/5.6 1/3200sec ISO 3200

see HD size here (http://ari1982.smugmug.com/Avian/Raptors/Northern-Harrier/14822282_GkGPdC#%21i=1978906050&k=GN4hvXw&lb=1&s=O)

[Frank Schauf]

Impressive what you show with the new lens.

[Alan Murphy]

Killer banking pose.

[gail bisson]

Hi Arash,
another lovely shot.
I really like the light and the banking pose.
ail

[Rachel Hollander]

Arash -looks like you're really enjoying the new lens. Great light and pose. Is there something on the left side of the head/beak? I see an area slightly darker than the bg on both the OP and the HD version.

TFS,
Rachel

[arash_hazeghi]

Arash -looks like you're really enjoying the new lens. Great light and pose. Is there something on the left side of the head/beak? I see an area slightly darker than the bg on both the OP and the HD version.

TFS,
Rachel

yes! harrier have hair on their beak.

Thanks Rachel

[Rachel Hollander]

yes! harrier have hair on their beak.

Thanks Rachel

I did not know that! Thanks for the lesson. :S3:

[PhilCook]

Lovely wing form in this, and great his eye is engaging the camera, hard shooting conditions but pulled off nicely

[Ofer Levy]

Fantastic pose and good IQ considering the high ISO. These are tiny feathers and not hair as only mammals have hair.....:w3

[Jack Breakfast]

Oh boy! I was just going to write in with the same words as Ofer, except I was going to make a hair/feather joke that would have only proved unfunny. I am ASTOUNDED by the quality of this shot at iso3200. Also: it's a terrific flight shot in some lovely light, so kudos there also...

[Doug Brown]

I'm envious!

[Declan Troy]

The "hair" is technically rictal bristles. Not the same as hair on mammals but modified feathers. They can serve as protection or tactile functions depending on the bird.

[arash_hazeghi]

Thanks everyone for nice comments and thanks Decan for detailed clarification re hair

here is closeup view to see the bristles in an adult female

115980

[dankearl]

Super eye contact and IQ for 3200.
The HD version as usual is top notch.

[mohammad reza shahab]

Hi Arash
Fantastic pose and good IQ considering the high ISO!!

[Jim Crosswell]

Great image Arash! I like the banking pose and IQ.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Glorious light and a killer pose. I love how the highlites pop on the bird