Bird Dog

Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
edited January 12, 2010 in Wildlife
The field where I shot this Northern Harrier is right next to an area where the local hunters train their dogs.

652366914_E7DpZ-XL.jpg

Thinking I had finally got a raptor with his catch only to see that he was playing fetch with himself...that's a hunk of wood.

651730202_ABrPt-XL.jpg

I watched him retrieve it many times fly up and drop it purposefully....I think.

Comments

  • dlplumerdlplumer Registered Users Posts: 8,081 Major grins
    edited December 30, 2009
    rolleyes1.gifiloveyou.gifclap.gif
    Dan
    http://danielplumer.com/
    Facebook Fan Page
  • kdogkdog Administrators Posts: 11,681 moderator
    edited December 30, 2009
    He was probably fixing to drop it on you. rolleyes1.gif

    Those are some seriously great shots, Ric.

    -joel
    Moderator of Landscapes forum
    Link to my Smugmug site
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited December 31, 2009
    Excellent Ric. clap.gif I know from experience how difficult it is to get a harrier capture.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • Nikonic1Nikonic1 Registered Users Posts: 684 Major grins
    edited December 31, 2009
    Playing fetch or honing his skills. Even the finest athletes need practice. Fantastic shots.


    thumb.gifthumbthumb.gif
    Matt :thumb
    http://nikonic1.smugmug.com/
  • rontront Registered Users Posts: 1,473 Major grins
    edited December 31, 2009
    Great shots Ric!!

    Ron
    "The question is not what you look at, but what you see". Henry David Thoreau

    http://ront.smugmug.com/
    Nikon D600, Nikon 85 f/1.8G, Nikon 24-120mm f/4, Nikon 70-300, Nikon SB-700, Canon S95
  • bhowdybhowdy Registered Users Posts: 658 Major grins
    edited January 1, 2010
    Ric ... Nice images of a tough to capture bird. Maybe the Harrier has very poor eyesight!?!? rolleyes1.gif

    Hey I sent you a PM a couple of weeks ago, did you get it?
    ________________

    Bob
    Maryville, TN.
    http://bhowdy.smugmug.com/
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited January 3, 2010
    dlplumer wrote:
    rolleyes1.gifiloveyou.gifclap.gif

    :D:D:D
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited January 3, 2010
    Another one of my nemesis birds. Heck one flew through my yard last week and but I have nary a pic of one. Nice action images of a harrier doing what it does best.
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • GaleGale Registered Users Posts: 1,052 Major grins
    edited January 4, 2010
    Good shots

    Devil bird...lol
    Best Regards
    Gale

    www.pbase.com/techwish
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited January 5, 2010
    kdog wrote:
    He was probably fixing to drop it on you. rolleyes1.gif

    Those are some seriously great shots, Ric.

    -joel

    Thanks, Joel. :D
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited January 6, 2010
    Harryb wrote:
    Excellent Ric. clap.gif I know from experience how difficult it is to get a harrier capture.

    Thanks, Harry.:D

    All that weaving and bobbing can drive you nuts.:splat
  • raptorcaptorraptorcaptor Registered Users Posts: 3,968 Major grins
    edited January 7, 2010
    Two excellent captures, Ric! I had an osprey do the same thing! ne_nau.gif
    Glenn

    My website | NANPA Member
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited January 11, 2010
    Nikonic1 wrote:
    Playing fetch or honing his skills. Even the finest athletes need practice. Fantastic shots.


    thumb.gifthumbthumb.gif

    Thanks! :D:D:D
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited January 11, 2010
    ront wrote:
    Great shots Ric!!

    Ron

    Thank you, Ron!! :D
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited January 11, 2010
    bhowdy wrote:
    Ric ... Nice images of a tough to capture bird. Maybe the Harrier has very poor eyesight!?!? rolleyes1.gif

    Hey I sent you a PM a couple of weeks ago, did you get it?

    Thanks, Bob.:D

    These were not as good as I was hoping for....but they will have to do....till next time.mwink.gif
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited January 12, 2010
    MakeMeShutter wrote:
    Amazing images, can you tell us a bit more about your technique used to get beautiful flight shots like this.

    Thanks! :D

    Shutter speed: 1/1250 sec
    Aperture: 7.1
    Exposure mode: Av
    Exposure compensation: +1/3
    Flash: Off
    Metering mode: Spot
    ISO: 800
    Lens: EF400mm f/4 DO IS USM +1.4x
    Focal length: 560mm
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