Northern Harrier Down the Barrel

Canon 1D Mark IV
500mm + 1.4 TC
HAndheld from my car window (not resting)

ISO 640
1/1600 sec
f/5.6

Northern Harrier I caught hunting a couple weeks ago (female or juv male? can anyone weigh in?). I saw it, stopped, pulled over, took it from the car. Light was a bit challenging as sun was still quite high, but I also liked the dramatic feel it gave the image. Did some work on leveling out the contrast in Viveza, CS4. Sharpening, NR.

Would love to hear any comments and critiques. Each and every time I learn a bunch. Thanks for looking.

Wow! This is fantastic capture...Love that stare...

I think you did a great job on the fly here, Melissa. I love your "not resting" comment. This was obviously NOT an easy capture. I just love the way he is looking right dead at you. Your PP looks good to me.

Nice head on stare Melissa.

WOW! Head angle, eye contact, both wings and sweet BG - Like I said: Wow!

Love that stare!!! Enough detail in all the areas and sharp all around with a nice BG. Works for me!!!

Excellent photo.
NIce stare and I like the light.
Nice job with the capture and the processing.

very nice Melissa! like everything here and intense eye contact makes this a classic harrier shot

Brilliant job Mellisa. love the head turn and the wing position. You have handled the light really well.

Super image !! Mellisa !! Wing angle and colour plus that stare and supporting BG all combine to make this a winner.
Best regards
Rod Warnock

I like the wing position and eye contact. Well done Melissa!

Hi Melissa, well the eye contact here, and head turn in full flight, just puts this over the top. I do like the hint of backlighting on the edge of the near wing, and wish the top half of the BG was foliage. Still, well timed and captured.

You nailed this one Melissa. No nits from me,
Gail