Northern Harrier - @LLELA

[MHampton]

Like JohnT, I started the new year out with a new encounter. Never seen a Harrier before, but this one was out at LLELA, just flying up and down the dam, looking for mice (found a couple too!). Didn't know what I had until I got home and started comparing the pictures against some bird databases, then got a confirmation that it was a female Northern Harrier. The folks at LLELA say they have seen quite a few around this year. I was out with my 7D and 600 f/4 + 1.4x practicing, and ended up with a few keepers. So, (as John reminded me), I thought I would come and share them here.

I got to spend about an hour watching and shooting. Learned a few things about my camera as well as this fine specimen.

[JohnT]

Sounds like a good place to shoot. I need to go there sometime.

[Stargazer77517]

Nicely done Michael, love the last one.

[houtex01]

Very nice Michael...agree with Fred...really like the nice soft background in the last one...

Ron

[MHampton]

Thanks guys. Yeah, I just hung that last one on my wall here at work. :)

John, I just bought a yearly "family" pass, which means that my car, and anyone in it can get in. Come on up and we'll go shooting some time.

[drgibson]

Great shots, I like the way they seem to stay close to the ground while hunting.

[JohnT]

Sounds like a plan, Michael. Thanks.

[lhdvies]

Very nice Michael-especially like the BIF shots!!

[David Alaniz]

Good shots, favor how the last one came out.

[MHampton]

Thank you all. I was happy with the last one too. Actually got two shots like that with the background far enough away that it was milky. The other one has the head turned with just one eye looking at you. Torn about which one I like best. I like the touch of blue on the first one.

What do you think?

[Patti Edens]

Michael, I love all of the shots, but the background on the last two is wonderful. And I agree with you with the bit of blue. It sort of anchors the shot for me. I like it best.

[preames]

Nice work Michael! I do agree that the one with the blue is the "better" of the two shots - though I primarily like it more because of the head angle showing both eyes.

[MHampton]

Thanks Patrick. I go back and forth on the head positions. The sideways glance looks like she's giving me the evil-eye. :)

[jase1125]

I was there this morning and got the osprey shots I posted. Your harrier turned out very nice. We should sync up and go shooting over there sometime. I live near pier 121 marina.

[Tim T]

Great shots Michael. I like the eye contact on the first #3 but think that the blue can be a distracting element that draws your eye away from the subject.