Northern Harrior

HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
edited March 17, 2008 in Wildlife
Hi Y'all,

For the past two years this northern harrior has been taunting me. :pissed I've seen it countless number of times but its always stayed just far enough away so that I couldn't get a decent shot. Finally I bumped into it when it was busy with a kill and I managed to get in a few shots of the SOB.

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The toughest part of capturing this subject are its eyes. Just the slightest turn of te head and all you get is a black area.
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!"
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Comments

  • raptorcaptorraptorcaptor Registered Users Posts: 3,968 Major grins
    edited March 13, 2008
    I see Northern Harriers all the time, but they are very good at staying out of camera range. Nice work Harry!
    Glenn

    My website | NANPA Member
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited March 13, 2008
    Are these heavy crops, Harry?

    Some of them look a little smudgy to me.ne_nau.gif

    That said, an interesting set. I only hope I get an equal opportunity some day.:D

    Edit: Maybe they just look that way...I found this!
  • Tee WhyTee Why Registered Users Posts: 2,390 Major grins
    edited March 13, 2008
    bet it tastes like chicken
    wings.gif
    My Gallery
  • GiphsubGiphsub Registered Users Posts: 2,662 Major grins
    edited March 13, 2008
    Sweet Harry! clap.gif I particularly like #3 and that last one.

    Hey did you have any of the probs Jeff is having with focusing issues on the D300?
    Mike Helbig

    http://www.michaelhelbigphotography.com
    http://www.thewildpig.blogspot.com
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 13, 2008
    Giphsub wrote:
    Sweet Harry! clap.gif I particularly like #3 and that last one.

    Hey did you have any of the probs Jeff is having with focusing issues on the D300?

    Thanks Mike and I have had absolutely no problems with the D300's AF. I've found it to be an major improvement over the D200's AF. It is a different AF system that takes some getting used to and some experimentation to find the right settings for one's style of shooting. The only "problem" I've found is a momentary hesitation before it locks onto your subject but once its locked on it stays locked on. Thom Hogan's review gives an excellent insight into the D300's AF.
    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!"
  • GiphsubGiphsub Registered Users Posts: 2,662 Major grins
    edited March 13, 2008
    Good to hear. What settings do you have it on for BIFS and other bird shooting? I'll follow that link. Cheers.
    Mike Helbig

    http://www.michaelhelbigphotography.com
    http://www.thewildpig.blogspot.com
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 13, 2008
    Giphsub wrote:
    Good to hear. What settings do you have it on for BIFS and other bird shooting? I'll follow that link. Cheers.

    It depends on the subject and the shooting conditions. I've had excellent results with the dynamic 51 points AF with good contrast subjects against an uncluttered background. When the background gets busier I'll go to 21 points. In dimmer light and low contrast situations I'll go to 9 points or a single point.
    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!"
  • GiphsubGiphsub Registered Users Posts: 2,662 Major grins
    edited March 13, 2008
    Very interesting article that.

    I really need to get used to changing my AF settings more during shooting. I really need to get into my head what works best in what situations.
    Mike Helbig

    http://www.michaelhelbigphotography.com
    http://www.thewildpig.blogspot.com
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 13, 2008
    Giphsub wrote:
    Very interesting article that.

    I really need to get used to changing my AF settings more during shooting. I really need to get into my head what works best in what situations.

    The D300 will take time to master. I'm still experimenting after 8000 shots and I hope after the next 8000 or so that I will have a handle on it. I'm eagerly awaiting Thom Hogan's e-book on it.
    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!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 13, 2008
    Ric Grupe wrote:
    Are these heavy crops, Harry?

    Some of them look a little smudgy to me.ne_nau.gif

    That said, an interesting set. I only hope I get an equal opportunity some day.:D

    Edit: Maybe they just look that way...I found this!

    I'm glad you found that and I'm not going to point out to you that my original post had a link to that site. Oops, I guess I did point that out. :poke

    The trouble with harriors is that they are a "smudgy" kind of bird. You really have to get fairly close to them to get a decent shot (not easy it took me two years).

    Oh, they weren't heavy crops.

    :D
    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!"
  • Ric GrupeRic Grupe Registered Users Posts: 9,522 Major grins
    edited March 13, 2008
    Harryb wrote:
    I'm glad you found that and I'm not going to point out to you that my original post had a link to that site. Oops, I guess I did point that out. :poke

    The trouble with harriors is that they are a "smudgy" kind of bird. You really have to get fairly close to them to get a decent shot (not easy it took me two years).

    Oh, they weren't heavy crops.

    :D

    That's a little weird! I never noticed the link in your post. I guess Google took us to the same spot. I'm a speed reader...so that happens. I spend my time looking at the pics instead.

    Normally your shots show a great deal of detail...so I was kind of surprised. Now, I know why.

    I know that when I have to go past 50% that it's hard to fake detail...thus my suposition.

    So on the plus side my Harrier shots didn't suck as bad as I thought.rolleyes1.gif
  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,013 Major grins
    edited March 14, 2008
    Harryb wrote:
    The D300 will take time to master. I'm still experimenting after 8000 shots and I hope after the next 8000 or so that I will have a handle on it. I'm eagerly awaiting Thom Hogan's e-book on it.
    I am doing testing but there are for sure issues headscratch.gif mine in any setting will not at any speed give you a sharp bif. I have read his article and very well done .With calling and cking with d300 owners more than a few have gone back that will not focus at all .The learning curve in steep compared with the 200 that is for sure . I am not as worried as long as I know some are giving good bifs but Harry have you shot any little ones or say a coppers [bif] ???
    Jeff W

    “PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • jwearjwear Registered Users Posts: 8,013 Major grins
    edited March 14, 2008
    all it took was a little help from an old coot to get you that shot thumb.gif:D really nice
    Jeff W

    “PHOTOGRAPHY IS THE ‘JAZZ’ FOR THE EYES…”

    http://jwear.smugmug.com/
  • NomadRipNomadRip Registered Users Posts: 180 Major grins
    edited March 14, 2008
    Very nice! I'm not sure I would have been able to pick a Harrier from a hawk or something. Looks like more studying! So many birds out here...
    -James
    Sign up for a SmugMug account and save!
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 14, 2008
    jwear wrote:
    I am doing testing but there are for sure issues headscratch.gif mine in any setting will not at any speed give you a sharp bif. I have read his article and very well done .With calling and cking with d300 owners more than a few have gone back that will not focus at all .The learning curve in steep compared with the 200 that is for sure . I am not as worried as long as I know some are giving good bifs but Harry have you shot any little ones or say a coppers [bif] ???

    The green heron is pretty small

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    night heron
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    a tern
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    another tern
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    a flying fish :ivar
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    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!"
  • GaleGale Registered Users Posts: 1,052 Major grins
    edited March 14, 2008
    Sweet shots Harry
    Those Harriers are a bugger to get.
    Good job
    Hope all is well.
    Give Linda a hug for me.
    Only 10 months till Merritt 6

    lolol
    Best Regards
    Gale

    www.pbase.com/techwish
  • dbaker1221dbaker1221 Registered Users Posts: 4,482 Major grins
    edited March 14, 2008
    great job Harry .clap.gif ..congrats on finally getting it.
    **If I keep shooting, I'm bound to hit something**
    Dave
  • GiphsubGiphsub Registered Users Posts: 2,662 Major grins
    edited March 14, 2008
    Flying fish! lol3.gif
    Mike Helbig

    http://www.michaelhelbigphotography.com
    http://www.thewildpig.blogspot.com
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 15, 2008
    raptorcaptor wrote:
    I see Northern Harriers all the time, but they are very good at staying out of camera range. Nice work Harry!

    Thanks Glenn, harriers ae particularly wary, its extremely hard to get clsoe enough for a good shot.
    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!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 15, 2008
    NomadRip wrote:
    Very nice! I'm not sure I would have been able to pick a Harrier from a hawk or something. Looks like more studying! So many birds out here...

    Thnaks James, and once I get away from our local hawks I can't ID them w/o referring to Sibley's
    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!"
  • jeff lapointjeff lapoint Registered Users Posts: 1,228 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2008
    Harryb wrote:
    Thanks Glenn, harriers ae particularly wary, its extremely hard to get clsoe enough for a good shot.

    No kidding! We have a local one that is quickly moving up my Nemesis List.

    Great shots as always and I'm glad the new camera is working out for ya!thumb.gif

    -j
    www.lapiz007.smugmug.com


  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2008
    Gale wrote:
    Sweet shots Harry
    Those Harriers are a bugger to get.
    Good job
    Hope all is well.
    Give Linda a hug for me.
    Only 10 months till Merritt 6

    lolol

    Thanks Gale, it was good to finally get that sucker. See ya soon.
    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!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2008
    dbaker1221 wrote:
    great job Harry .clap.gif ..congrats on finally getting it.

    Thanks Dave, its always good to knock another one off the list. :D
    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!"
  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2008
    jeff lapoint wrote:
    No kidding! We have a local one that is quickly moving up my Nemesis List.

    Great shots as always and I'm glad the new camera is working out for ya!thumb.gif

    -j

    Thanks Jeff, the D3 and D300 are great cameras to work with. Harriers however are not great to work with. He was back to taunting me yesterday. I saw him 4 times but never got close enough to take a shot. :pissed
    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!"
  • jeff lapointjeff lapoint Registered Users Posts: 1,228 Major grins
    edited March 16, 2008
    Harryb wrote:
    Thanks Jeff, the D3 and D300 are great cameras to work with. Harriers however are not great to work with. He was back to taunting me yesterday. I saw him 4 times but never got close enough to take a shot. :pissed

    We need to invent some bird calming aerosolized valium or something. Besides, if it doesn't work on the harrier it will still probably make us feel pretty good about life:D
    www.lapiz007.smugmug.com


  • bfjrbfjr Registered Users Posts: 10,980 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2008
    jeff lapoint wrote:
    We need to invent some bird calming aerosolized valium or something. Besides, if it doesn't work on the harrier it will still probably make us feel pretty good about life:D

    So when you need test subjects, Can I apply ?? !! blbl.gifrolleyes1.gif
    Benjamin
    My Galleries
    Flicker
    G+
  • jeff lapointjeff lapoint Registered Users Posts: 1,228 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2008
    bfjr wrote:
    So when you need test subjects, Can I apply ?? !! blbl.gifrolleyes1.gif

    Are you kidding? We were using theoretical experiences of yours from a Zeppelin concert in the 70's as our initial data pointsrolleyes1.gif

    Besides we needed human subject in your age range...I was just about to email the AARP for volunteers:D

    kidding aside-
    Glad to hear from ya Ben and I hope you're doing great!

    -j
    www.lapiz007.smugmug.com


  • BBiggsBBiggs Registered Users Posts: 688 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2008
    Very nice shots Harry! I saw a nice male harrier the past week, but he knew I had my camera so he decided not to stay around for long ne_nau.gifheadscratch.gif :ivar
    Brenton
    http://www.alluringnatureimages.com/
  • MaestroMaestro Registered Users Posts: 5,395 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2008
    Nice captures Harry. Those harriers are nutso skittish!
    Stephen
    www.capture-the-pixel.com

  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited March 17, 2008
    bfjr wrote:
    So when you need test subjects, Can I apply ?? !! blbl.gifrolleyes1.gif

    Once we see some pics we can talk about medication with ya.
    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!"
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