Harriers in combat

[Doug Brown]

Here's another of my 'Two Harriers and One Fish" photos. This one captures the ferocity of the battle.



Canon 1D Mark III, 500mm + 1.4x, f/8, 1/2000, ISO 400, manual exposure, tripod, no flash

[Arthur Morris]

Back bird: Sharp! Talons out, wings spread: A+

Near-bird: wings half folded, messy tail feathers: C-

Overall, B+ and an amazing experience.

later and love, artie

[Keith Bauer]

I like this image a lot. I have to disagree with Artie. To me, the wings half folded and the messy tail feathers look submissive which looks like the case for this pair in combat. The ice in the upper part of the frame draws my eye a bit. It might be worth trying to clean that up. Maybe not a A+, but better than a B+

[Todd Frost]

Must have been fun photographing these. Good job with the exposure on tough conditions. Maybe a little selective sharpening on head of rear bird, and s-curve for slight contrast boost. Nice job, one I'd like to have.
Todd

[Daniel Cadieux]

My guess is that you wanted to include the complete shadows at right, but I'd still crop some off from there. If you had the same spacing between the left bird's wing and edge and the right bird's wing and edge it would be ideal. The interaction is amazing, great sighting!!

[Arthur Morris]

I like this image a lot. I have to disagree with Artie. To me, the wings half folded and the messy tail feathers look submissive which looks like the case for this pair in combat. The ice in the upper part of the frame draws my eye a bit. It might be worth trying to clean that up. Maybe not a A+, but better than a B+

I have to disagree with Keith. If the rear bird had its wings spread out to the side it would still have been in a submissive position with the other bird above him but the image would have been quite a bit more powerful.

later and love, artie

[Stephen Earle]

I would perhaps have gone a little tighter from the right to focus more attention on the subjects. The action more than compensates for the small technical difficulties as mentioned.

[Doug Brown]

Thanks for the feedback Artie. I'll be posting another combat shot in the coming days that addresses some of your points. It's a high key image, but I think it works well too.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Absolutely wonderful action you captured in this image Doug. Artie has covered it all and my congratulations on a fine image !!!

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Great timing and behavior captured. It tells the story and technical issues have been mentioned.

[Matthew Studebaker]

incredible shot! I love the pose of the incoming bird.

[Dean Ingwersen]

Fantastic capture. I think the incoming bird makes up for any slight issues with the bird on the ground. I wouldn't like to be in the way of those talons, that's for sure!! Agree that it could do with a slight contrast boost.