Another Northern Harrier - but sharper - improving!

[terrib]

First conclusion: I need to work out. The weight of this 7D and 100-400mm lens is kicking me!

I'm pleased with my progress and don't really have anything to ask because I'm still practicing all the great advice you guys have already given me in this previous thread.

-Tracking is giving me the biggest fits - trying to keep the center point on the bird. I'm really unsteady but getting better.

-Also still getting used to high speed shutter release. You'd think that one would be easy. But when I do execute it I end up with one picture in frame and multiple pictures with parts of birds (See point #1 )

This is cropped - about 1/3 off bottom and right. Really having a hard time convincing those birds to fill the frame.

1/2000, F6.3, ISO 800, 400mm

[AB26]

Hi Terri,

Maybe you should try the Sigma 1000mm.

Tracking/Panning is never easy, a long lens makes it much more difficult.

But when I do execute it I end up with one picture in frame and multiple pictures with parts of birds
You should try that with a camera with EVF.

Beautiful shot.

[Otavio]

Hi Terri. Glad to see you are overcoming the issues. Surely, this one looks a lot better! Higher speed, lower ISO, center point on bird and filling the frame with bird (as much as posible), reducing crop. I think that's key for in flight bird shots.

Very well done and keep'em coming!

[Mike Buckley]

Really having a hard time convincing those birds to fill the frame.

Place a mouse on top of your lens.

[kaneohebud]

Place a mouse on top of your lens.

Now why haven't I thought of that?

[Dave Humphries]

Place a mouse on top of your lens.

I guess you'd use the 12-24mm for that Mike?

[Dave Humphries]

I think you have surpassed my efforts Terri

[jprzybyla]

Excellent image, sharp, nice light. Good work Terri, practice makes perfect.

[kdoc856]

Sweet work, Terri.

Huge improvement already. Looking forward to more of the same. To bring the hawks close, I shot a squirrel and tied it to a tree branch and waited, and waited.... Creeped my wife out and I never got a single shot. I got one fly-over but he just kept on going. Don't know if there are better baiting techniques. Looks like good old-fashioned hard work to me.

[Shadowman]

Very nice image.

I like Mike's idea of the mouse on the lens.

[terrib]

Thank you, thank you, thank you! Y'all are so helpful and supportive. Love this forum.

Mike, I'll start training a mouse right away.

Kevin, I thought about putting a few feathers on a stick. But I'm not sure where I cross the line on interfering with them. I worry that my continual presence up there could even disrupt their hunting habits. But maybe they just get used to me...

[inkista]

Yeah, the tracking thing's tough. Just in case--you are shooting with both eyes open, yes?

[terrib]

Yeah, the tracking thing's tough. Just in case--you are shooting with both eyes open, yes?

I am working on that. It's really hard to break that habit of squeezing the other eye closed. I'm surprised I haven't developed more crows feet on my right eye. When I told my husband that tip, he couldn't believe I was closing one eye. Having experience using a rifle scope, he never closes his.

[NorthernFocus]

Well this one is definately sharp. Did you ever consider that no one else is any better than you, and definately not as honest

[Mike Buckley]

I just have to mention that after posting more than 3200 messages, none has been so well received as my idea of placing a mouse on top of the lens barrel. That speaks volumes about the quality of my first 3200 posts.

[jeeperman]

Nicely done, Terri!

[jamn4ex]

Great shot Terri !

[Aforns]

Looks very good Terri, got lots of detail under the wings and head is sharp. Difficult exposure (always) since you are shooting the shaded side of the bird .. light comes from the top ... so more exposure is needed and that will wash out the sky. All a compromise .. did great. btw if the bird ends up looking a bit dark underside, don't like opening the shadows in PS since it will come out muddy looking, best to expose properly.

[terrib]

Thanks all for taking the time to comment and help.

Mike, you crack me up.

[Bobobird]

You are there...