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Thread: A gray ghost

  1. #1
    BPN Member Jack Backs's Avatar
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    Default A gray ghost

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    My closest encounter with a male Northern Harrier to date. Taken from the window of my vehicle. The bird was close enough and high enough that I was having problems tracking the bird. I clipped most
    of the upper wing in this image. I had to use parts from two other images to complete the wing. Clipping the wing was probably a good thing as this was the image where the body was best in focus. The
    rest of the images the focal point was on parts of the leading edge of the proximal wing.....have I mentioned I can't wait for the Z9? I know, the distal wing behind the head is a real bummer.
    Nikon D500, 500mmF4VRII, TC-14EIII
    1/3200s, f6.3, iso800

  2. #2
    BPN Member Jack Backs's Avatar
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    It only took a couple minutes to remove the distal wing. I'm sure I have similar images of other birds where the distal wing is parallel and far enough back that the body completely hides it, having said that, it may look a little unnatural.
    I probably should have posted this first too see what the response would have been.

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    Super Moderator arash_hazeghi's Avatar
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    Hi Jack, the 2nd image doesn't work for me, it looks unnatural even if I had not seen the original. the condition you describe never happens for harriers AFIK given the size of the wing and the typical angle (at least I have never seen it even once in 20 years). so I'd go for the original. the merge of the head with the far wing is not ideal but it's not too bad given we have a good view of the head. I wish the BG was more interesting but I'd take a grey ghost frame any day

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    BPN Member Jack Backs's Avatar
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    Agreed. TRhe images I'm thinking of are of faster flying, more acrobatic birds with a shorter wing to body ratio.

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    BPN Member dankearl's Avatar
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    The first image is fine. No reason to do anything except get a better one next time.
    Dan Kearl

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    Agree. The first one works for me. Love the details on the head, flight pose and overall composition.

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    Publisher Arthur Morris's Avatar
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    Nice Photoshop work but the image in Pane #2 looks unnatural ... The first one was bad luck.

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    BPN Member William Dickson's Avatar
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    The OP looks best to me...Well captured for a bird that is rarely seen, never mind photographed....Good work Jack.

    Will

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    Avian Moderator Brian Sump's Avatar
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    Jack, love the Gray Ghost. The pale gray/white plumage and the popping yellow eye makes him highly distinguished.

    The composition in the og works fine for me, even with the far wing. Surely we'd love one with the head and beak cleared but the lighting and flight angle vs the lens are very nice.

    The whites at the shoulder and chest felt a touch hot, some were approaching 252-255 but they don't appear blown so perhaps you could find a little more detail there. I'd also get rid of the white burst at the right edge.

    A handsome fella, thanks for sharing!

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    Super Moderator Daniel Cadieux's Avatar
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    Great work on the near wing recovery as that is unnoticeable, but I agree removing the far one was not needed. I hope one day to photograph the male of this species...no luck yet!

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