I was cruising the cane fields again today, after watching the Spoonbills for a while. I was so happy when this harrier lifted up out of the long grass and continued to hunt right in front of me. Unfortunately I didnt have my camera set right in my excitement ( story of my life lol) but I was happy just to get these anyway. What a magnificent bird 
He was just flying low above the field and diving down every few minutes for quite a long period at times
All shots taken on the beautiful Sunshine Coast !
Those photos are amazing. As someone who mainly takes photos of small birds, I'm in total awe of people that are good at taking photos of BOP. They are such beautiful birds.
M-L
Thanks Marie Louise , yes I am in awe of those who can do a great job too as I find it very challenging. but it is exciting when you get a sighting and I have never seen so many as I have over the last few months.
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Iam so happy for you too. Enjoy the moment !
See it! Hear it!
Mid-North Coast NSW
Thanks Darin. I have been working in Photoshop ( from a raw image) to recover some seriously backlit shots . I am not very good with Photoshop but for those who don't believe in it, these are the very situations where it is so good to have shot in raw and be able to recover the data that you got . You may never get a chance for a sighting of a species again and I am very happy that the shots I thought were rubbish have turned out so well, even though they are still not good exposures .
This is not image manipulation , it is just getting everything out of your image that was there in the first place without camera jpeg compression shutting it all down with an average edit!!!
What a truly magnificent looking Bird of Prey this is!!!!
Sunshine Coast Queensland
Wow, these came up great, and yes, a great looking bird.
Sunshine Coast, Queensland.
Yes, They are absolutely stunning shots, Adrienne. Well done!
It helps that the subject is also prettty stunning.
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane
Yes, They are absolutely stunning shots, Adrienne. Well done!
It helps that the subject is also prettty stunning.
Cheers
Tim
Brisbane
Excellent pics. My very favourite is the very first one. I wish I could understand Photoshop but my brain just doesn't connect.
Karen
Brisbane southside.
Ha ha thanks karen and Timmo.... I uinderstand what you mean about the brain not connecting! I have put off getting into editing in any form for many years, but as I had it and cannot afford better equipment and wildlife photography wprkshops etc I though I would see if it would help me get more out of what I am already doing. it is a huge package and most people only use a fraction of its capabilities anyway.
The main thing for me is to get out there and see the action first, then capture it on my camera as best as I can. I have always been a photography nut so I guess for me the photos are fairly important , whereas others may just be happy to see the bird and snap when possible.
I am loving being able to get out with nature again after illness kept me virtually housebound for the previous year
Sunshine Coast Queensland
I appreciate those spotted harrier shots, birdie. My favourite raptor.
Adrienne, my best tip for you is if you are using evaluative metering (I do most of the time) and you have a darkish bird against a bright sky, ALWAYS increase Exposure Compensation by at least one stop (from zero). That is overexpose by at least a stop! That's what I do as a standard. If I have time, I shoot something like part sky/part tree (around 50% frame split) against the sky and do a quick histogram check to confirm data capture. Don't ever shoot at zero EC when you have this kind of colour against bright skies! You will kill your exposure quick smart. Lovely shots by the way. As much as I am a little green, I've finally succeeded in tracking down my local Spotted Harrier that's been hanging about since January. I will post a shot later.
Thanks Woko and Akos..... and yes I do the EC by at least a stop in such cases, and sometimes more if the light is storng behind.
I saw your harrier shots..... great stuff so you shoul out them up here to show all the love markings.
Sunshine Coast Queensland