Northern harrier, male
Preening, early morning in a stubble field, Boundary Bay.
Although this rather looks like flash, I didn't use one. The quality of light - that clear early morning winter sun - and the dark brush behind I think gave it this aspect. He perched on the frozen stubble for at least a half hour warming up from the chill night. In other shots you can see frost on his feathers just starting to melt.
Northern harrier, male
Preening, early morning in a stubble field, Boundary Bay.
Although this rather looks like flash, I didn't use one. The quality of light - that clear early morning winter sun - and the dark brush behind I think gave it this aspect. He perched on the frozen stubble for at least a half hour warming up from the chill night. In other shots you can see frost on his feathers just starting to melt.