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If the Northern Harrier is my nemesis bird, certainly the male of the species, the elusive Grey Ghost, is the arch-nemesis. I rarely get to see them, and then only at a distance. That is also the case here, and I hesitated to post it because it shows the effects of a very large crop (to 36% of full width). But it is the only image I've ever captured of the Grey Ghost, so I figured I had to share it.
D7200, 500f4 + 1.4 TC, ISO 1000, 1/2500s @ f/7.1 manual.
these are tough bird to capture in flight, I share your frustration. I like this frame except for I wish you had a better HA. The IQ has suffered from the big crop but I can't resist pressing the shutter when there is a grey ghost in the frame
TFS
Even with a large crop Bill it was certainly worth the effort, would be pleased to get this magnificent bird.
Keith.
I have never had the opportunity to photograph one at all, so this may be a large crop and the bird may be flying ever so slightly away, but I'd keep it if it were mine! Keep on keeping on.
Keep after him. All you need is him a bit closer and a good look over at you. I shoot a ton of harriers, probably saw a dozen today and I have learned a trick over the years that works pretty well. They use audio a lot to locate prey and they are the most owl like of all the North American raptors.
I started by using my mouth and making high pitched squeaking noises as harriers flew towards me. My friends were blown away at how well it worked and sometimes the will literally turn on a dime when you squeak. It worked so well that I bought a varmint call at Bass pro so I didn't have to tear my lips up squeaking as loud as I could all morning.
I had a client out last week for a three day shoot and I turned many Harriers right toward my truck doing this. He was laughing at the results. I keep my call right next to me every day that I am shooting Harriers. Try it and let me know:w3
Thank you all. Great tip, David. I'll give it a try.
Congratulations on getting an image of this elusive bird Bill!
Thanks Jim.
What a great capture well done, I don't think anyone could resist taking a shot of one of these magnificent birds.
Thanks Jonathan.
Hi Bill, love the flight pose with the full downstroke of the near wing. Great that we can see the eye, and I like how he pops from the BG. Hope you get your dream shot soon.
Thanks Stu. I'll keep working on it. Maybe with David's mouse call I'll get him closer.
These are not easy to approach keep on trying, time will make it happen.
Beautiful flight image, Bill. Though it's a large crop the detail is there. Very nice wing down stroke, and fanned tail.
Geoffrey
Thanks Geoffrey and Gerald.
