Even Harriers Enjoy the Sweet Light

[Doug Brown]

Flight Deck at the end of a nice day at the Bosque. A Northern Harrier makes a final hunting pass over the area just north of the deck. The light is good. It would have been nice to have the bird looking at me, but I there's enough of the eye visible to make a connection with the viewer IMO.

http://birdwhisperer.smugmug.com/Animals/Birds/BPN/20091114-MG0026-Northern/727419789_YPbUT-O-2.jpg

Canon 7D, 800mm, f/5.6, 1/1000, ISO 800, manual exposure, hand held

[Dan Brown]

Very nice Doug! Handholding the monster 800! I agree with your self-critique, he's hunting! Hey, you really have good luck with the harriers! I'm going to start referring to you as "the harrier whisperer":D.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Doug...really cool image. The grasses at the bottom add a lot. You did very well by including the point the bird is looking at. And in that context the head-angle is perfect. Beautiful habitat BG and the wing position.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Doug,
I agree with Kaustubh. The grasses at the bottom tells a story. This is much better than having a close up of the raptor in the same position. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Katie Rupp]

Hi Doug,
Sweet light, indeed and I really love the pose with the eye visible and looking directly into the grasses for its prey...makes it a different and special image.
Regards,
Katie

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great light, setting and the composition works for me, I might only sharpen the bird more.

[Dave Leroy]

I also like the composition by including the in focus grass. Bird is also stands out nicely from bg. Lovely soft light. Dave

[Martin Isabelle]

Hi Doug

Love the hot light and compo

Nice eye contact to the futur victime ...

[Kristin Brown]

Doug,
I like the story this image tells....lovely light. Looks sharp on my monitor...

[Steve Canuel]

Nice golden tone to this one. Agree with you about the eye contact, you caught him doing what he should be doing rather than paying attention to you.

[Doug Brown]

I'm going to start referring to you as "the harrier whisperer":D.

Kind of catchy Dan! :D

[Harshad Barve]

Compo is just too good Doug , BG colors are amazing
TFS

[James Salywoda]

I love the hunting pose and vertical composition this is really nice excellent shot.

[Gerrie van Vuuren]

Great hunting posture, light, BG & composition.

[Kiran Poonacha]

great story telling image Bhai.. loved this.. congrats..

[Jim Crosswell]

I really like the composition! The intent hunters stare down and great BG really add to this image.

[Krijn Trimbos]

I really enjoy this shot Doug! The feel of hunting is so eminent here! Love the habitat, warm light, hunting pose and focussed look on the harriers face. Well done!

[Doug Brown]

Thanks for the feedback everyone.