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Marsh Harrier Fly-by


Marsh Harrier Fly-by
Photo Information
Copyright: Nigel Deacon (Merlin) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 393 W: 230 N: 340] (1094)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2009-03-29
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D300, 300mm f/4D ED AF-S Nikkor
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/1600 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2009-07-29 3:00
Viewed: 448
Points: 28
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
An adult male Marsh Harrier, Circus aeruginosus makes a close overhead pass.
After watching a local site where two pairs were nesting very close together, I parked the car about 800m away, under the male's regular flight path to his preferred hunting area. Using the car as a hide, and hoping that the late afternoon light at my back would illuminate the bird well, I fired a burst of eight exposures as he passed within 20m. For this I had the TC-14EII fitted to the 300mm lens (and both were newly acquired), and it was a good test of the Nikon's 3-D focus tracking.

In March and April we were watching the spectacular display flight of these birds - fantastic, but too high for photography (at least with my equipment ;)

This species is making a good recovery in the UK, and locally has done well in the last few years. During a recent visit to this site there were eight harriers in the air at once, as the recently fledged young had joined their parents.

This crop is about 60% of the original frame.
robindb, cloud, oldferret, MMM, bartove, peter_stoeckl, pierrefonds has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Hi Nigel,

I think the test was passed with flying colours. Focus is good and the exposure showed up the detail in the shadowed wing as well. Glad these birds are making a come back in at least one part of the world.

Robin

Robin

  • Great 
  • cloud Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 297 W: 71 N: 758] (4689)
  • [2009-07-29 4:07]

Hello Nigel,
Good light on the wings also sharpness is perfect. I like to watch birds of prey in flight.
Regards, Pawel
P.S. Thanks for effort ID my moth.

  • Great 
  • joska Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 407 W: 0 N: 1011] (5460)
  • [2009-07-29 4:07]

Very good photo of this Mars Harrier, congratulations!

Hi Nigel,

A very good shot, showing very fine details in the wings and head, I like the way the eye is looking forward. Great focus and dof with a pleasing blue background. I also like the diagonal pose. Only gripe your copyright name is just a little to close too the wing tip, (I know that we have to put them on to stop the pinching of images)

TFS regards Bill

  • Great 
  • MMM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 921 W: 0 N: 1985] (8905)
  • [2009-07-29 5:18]

Hi Nigel
Nice in flight capture.You caught him in a beautiful pose with is wing spand.Sharp image and good detail.
TFS Michel

great action flight shot

Hello Nigel ,
Eye-contact beautiful , good POV and sharpness .
TFS and good luck .

Excellent photo of this Harrier, in flight. Great timing and pose. Very good sharp details, composition and natural colours. Beautiful blue sky.
Regards,
Eyal

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2388 W: 94 N: 5521] (17576)
  • [2009-07-29 10:37]

Hello Nigel,
Very beautiful photo of this Marsh Harrier in flight. Good sharpness and details and outstanding natural colours. Nice contrast against the blue sky. Excellent POV, timing and composition.
Regards,
Peter

great capture, I like the yellow eye, TFS Ori

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3816 W: 190 N: 11348] (34987)
  • [2009-07-29 22:33]

Hello Nigel,
A superb in-flight capture of a male Harrier that not only shows its features well with great sharpness and lighting, but also with excellent eye-contact.
I have tried getting such a shot using the car as a hide but have not yet reached this standard!
Thanks for posting this inspiration!
Kind regards,
Ivan

Hi Nigel,
pleasantly warm low afternoon light has provided excellent lighting to this Marsh harrier passing right overhead. Majestically calm pose, precisely frozen in motion, excellent details - love that highlight on the harrier's eye! And a masterly composition with just the right amount of free space in front.
Thank you!
With best regards,
Peter

Hi Nigel,

The bird is impressive. The point of view is allowing us to see the details and colors of the marsh harrier in flight. The subject is well framed. The intensity of the light is enhancing the colors. have a nice day.

Pierre

Ciao Nigel, lovely bird in great fly, fine details, wonderful colors and excellent sharpness, very well done, ciao Silvio

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