Harrier on the Hunt

ian408

Today was a very grey day with difficult lighting. And don't you know it? The
good stuff is always just out of reach :cry

While not great photos, I thought I'd share these two shots of a Northern
Harrier making the rounds.

In this shot, he's just coming in for something.



Here, his prey is a rabbit. This one is a heavy crop.



Not much but still pretty fun to watch these guys hunting.

Oh, the rabbit lived. Maybe a bit too heavy to be carried off

Ian

pathfinder

These shots are always so challenging and difficult. They are never close enough and happen so quickly. They swoop in and are gone. I think you did very good Ian.

gluwater

I really like the first shot Ian, the second would have been great if it was closer, but we all know that the lens is never long enough. The first shot is definitely better than the Red Tail I got in flight today. Were these taken with your 400 and did you have a TC on? Were these handheld? I just got a 400 and am really haveing issues with BIF's. I can't even locate the birds in the viewfinder. Oh well, your shots give me hope for myself.

ian408

This was shot on a monopod with a 20d and 500mm f/4 aboard.

I think I'm going to go out again tomorrow. Weather is supposed to be better.
Maybe shoot with a tripod too

Ian

Rohirrim

Those Harriers are very frustrating to shoot, but very fun to watch. I've been trying to get decent images for a long time, you've done well.

Harryb

The first one is a good capture Ian. I'm glad to see you getting some practice with your 500mm.

Steve Cavigliano

Nice ones Ian

I know what you mean. We could be using 1200mm lenses and still be left wanting more reach....lol Have you ever tried using a TC with your 500mm? Not sure how well it works, but I have seen some really nice eagle pics taken with the 500 + 1.4X TC. Just a thought

So where'd ya get these? The Baylands? You've really got to try Coyote Hills if you get the opportunity. That place is loaded with raptors. I have seen more raptors in the sky at one time there, than I have ever seen at the Baylands in an entire day Lots of gray harrier males too. I hardly ever see males at the Baylands. It is mating season too, so maybe you'll get some x-rated harrier shots....lol


Steve

ian408

Steve Cavigliano wrote:

Nice ones Ian

I know what you mean. We could be using 1200mm lenses and still be left wanting more reach....lol Have you ever tried using a TC with your 500mm? Not sure how well it works, but I have seen some really nice eagle pics taken with the 500 + 1.4X TC. Just a thought

So where'd ya get these? The Baylands? You've really got to try Coyote Hills if you get the opportunity. That place is loaded with raptors. I have seen more raptors in the sky at one time there, than I have ever seen at the Baylands in an entire day Lots of gray harrier males too. I hardly ever see males at the Baylands. It is mating season too, so maybe you'll get some x-rated harrier shots....lol


Steve

I've used the 1.4TC with it before. You need a lot of light with that.

I shot these over at the Palo Alto Airport (PAO). Park at the Lucy Evans
center and hike down the way.

Coyote Hills/Don Edwards are both great places (and w/in spitting distance
of one another) for birds.

Ian

snapapple

Ian, I think you did great. I see rabbits running around here all the time and can't even get my camera up to my eye and find them in the lens.:D You found the rabbit and the bird, and at great distance too. Well done.

That first shot is very cool. Great capture on both.

ehughes

Very Cool Ian... Never seen one go after a rabbit before..

ian408

ehughes wrote:

Very Cool Ian... Never seen one go after a rabbit before..

Nor have I. But he lifted it into the air and then dropped it--mighty impressive :uhoh

Lucky Hack

Wow! A guy I know almost lost his chihuahua that way but I never actually seen it! Great capture!

hoping this message finds you well -Ian