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Thread: Perched Northern Harrier

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    Default Perched Northern Harrier

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    Hi all,

    A perched NOHA taken close to sunset on a moderately overcast day. The local grasslands where I photograph these birds doesn't have many spots for them to perch (besides the ground), so as a consequence, I only have a handful of perched images from my years photographing here, so I was pleased to get this.

    Camera: Nikon D500
    Lens: 500mm f/4 + 1.4 TC
    Specs: 1/250 f/5.6 ISO 2,000

    Thanks for looking and commenting on prior posts!
    Alex

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    Great capture of this tree perched beauty, Alex. Beautiful light and excellent background. Like her crisp eye.

    Geoffrey




    http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

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    I love this shot, Alex! I haven't seen many shots of a harrier perched on a tree, so it's quite refreshing. The background tones complement the bird very nicely. The perch itself is really sweet. I'm sure the RAW is sharp, but I'd sharpen the image a bit more for presentation. TFS and looking forward to more of these harriers

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    Thanks both, much appreciated. Aditya, funny you say that, the RAW looks good but I had the same thought when I posted this image. I added a bit more sharpening (amount = 120 vs 100), so could still go a bit more. I also cloned out a bit of whitewash which was bothering me upon a second look and toned down the closest leg. Thanks again,

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    Subtle changes in the repost, but they make a massive difference. Really nice work, Alex!

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    Avian Moderator Randy Stout's Avatar
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    Alex:

    I really like the small in frame composition, the soft but slightly varied background, light on bird and perch.
    Do agree about toning down the leg. I was ok with the original sharpening , but it is a bit crisper on the repost.

    Nicely captured.

    Cheers

    Randy
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    The repost is better IMO. Very nice soft colouring with what I presume are early pinkish spring shoots on the Cypress[?]. Very artistic frame withe the Harrier still dominating .

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    Sweet light against the dark BG, and a lovely small-in-frame comp. Yes, the park managers, in their wisdom, cut down most of the perching spots a few years ago. Good your harrier was able to find this one.

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    Neat to see the harrier on this conifer. Like the framing and that killer background. You should have entered it for the theme. I have only ever seen them perched on the ground up here.

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    This is lovely.
    The repost and the toned down leg address the only issue I had with the OP.
    The light and gunmetal gray BG are beautiful.
    I like your crop but could also see a version with 2-3 % less on LHS and top.
    A beautiful frame. Well done!
    Gail

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    Thanks all, much appreciated. Bill, it will be interesting to see how the photography ops change after the controlled burn this week

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    Man, I really had to look for that white-wash! Not that I absolutely needed to see it. Good OP, and the repost takes it up a notch. As mentioned, pretty neat to a harrier perched on a tree like this.

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    Repost looks better for sure, and I think this is a really nice frame on the whole. The intense stare is great, and the background really makes the small subject pop. Well done!

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    Great capture, Alex. Nice you were able to find this unique tree perched beauty. She stands out beautifully against that gray background.


    Geoffrey




    http://500px.com/geoffreymontagu

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