Female Northern Harrier resting on a tumbleweed – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When I spotted this adult female Northern Harrier resting on a tumbleweed yesterday morning it took a few moments for me to point her out. Female and immature Northern Harriers blend into the marshy habitat at Farmington Bay WMA well at this time of the year because the coloration of their plumage matches much of the fall vegetation found there. This female harrier was out on the flats on what was a bright but chilly morning.
Tumbleweeds, also known as Russian Thistles, are introduced and invasive plants. This one made for a handy perch for the female harrier.
Female Northern Harrier starting to lift off from a tumbleweed – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I was beginning to think the female harrier was not going to do much of anything but rest in the warmth of the rays of the rising sun when she started to lift off from the tumbleweed. In this photo her feet are still on the tumbleweed and her wings are extended above her body.
Female Northern Harrier lifting off from a tumbleweed – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
And in this image her feet had just left the tumbleweed as she leapt into the air and she seemed to be focused on something in the distance.
It isn’t all that often that I find raptors perched on tumbleweeds so when I do I try to take full advantage of the opportunity in front of me.
I struggled yesterday morning with softness issues due to heat wave distortion again. According to the hourly forecast there was supposed to have been a 8 to 9 mph breeze. It was no where near that. I could barely detect a breeze at all. I photographed this harrier later in the morning when the temps had risen and most of the photos of her were sharp.
On another note, I seem to have tweaked the radial nerve in my left forearm and wrist. I can touch that nerve on my wrist and it feels like an electrical jolt. I can’t wait for that to go away. While not extremely painful it is causing some problems for me and for now I have that wrist wrapped and I am trying to baby it. Lifting my heavy lens and camera isn’t much of an issue because I lift it with both hands but holding onto the lens foot with my left hand while I am shooting does cause me some pain. I need to try and figure out how to baby my left wrist while I am in the field until this radial nerve issue is resolved. Typing while my wrist is wrapped in an ace bandage is a bit of a pain too.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Northern Harrier photos plus facts and information about this species.
Great timing and I saw no distortion from the heat waves. For years, while walking, I had been stabilizing my camera with my left hand and not noticing that I was actually grasping it quite firmly. Then developed wrist and nerve pains. A wrist splint helped greatly, if only by reminding me not to have a death grip on the camera.
How I love your action shots! No. 3, in particular, is truly great. I can practically feel the air move as the Harrier lifts off. Thanks Mia.
Wonderful series. I especially like the “wing fling” in the 2nd shot. I’m sorry about your wrist. Nerve pain is never fun. Hope you’re able to find a way to both take care of your wrist and still be able to go out into the field. 💜
Nice to catch a harrier again, they have been very jumpy. Sorry to hear about the wrist!
What an acrobatic beauty.
I do hope your nerve pain dissipates. Quickly.
Wonderful action sequence, Mia! I use my vehicle window insulated with pipe insulation to stabilize my long lens, that might help you right now.
Gorgeous action sequence, Mia! Can you use your Jeep window and some pipe insulation on the window as a rest for your telephoto? I use my vehicle and the windows when I have my 200 – 600mm lens attached.
Thanks, Michael. I use a pool noodle on my window. I came up with that idea before I even moved to Utah. The pool noodles are thicker, more supportive, and last longer than the pipe insulation I tried first.
Have a look here: https://www.onthewingphotography.com/wings/making-a-photo-noodle/
Ouch! I don’t envy you that nerve pain and hope it resolves quickly. Love the harrier shots and would gladly take some of that heat problem off your hands in exchange for our cold. 😉
Thanks, Pat. I hope if I baby the nerve it will heal quickly but i have seen online where it might take up to 6 weeks to heal. I’m on week two now.
We don’t have heat so much as there is heat coming up from under the vehicle I am in and from the interior of the vehicle messing with the focus. I saw a low of 26 yesterday.
Love the shots!
Thank you Dick.