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Peregrine Falcon
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Peregrine Falcon

by David Sparks

Gallery: AvianPosted November 30, 2009180 views19 comments
D300, 500mm f/4 + 1.7x tc, bean bag on car window
ISO 640, 1/500 sec, f/8
Cropped to 8x10 format. Sharpening, other minor adjustments in LR2 and CS3.
Photo taken Nov. 16, 2009 at Lacassine NWR, in southwest Louisiana. Lacassine was on the edge of a frontal system that brought a series of thunderstorms to the area. During one of the rainy periods I saw the falcon perched in a tree near one of the gravel roads in the reserve. While the bird was coping with the rain and wind, I moved my car to a spot where the bird was unobstructed and waited until the rain stopped enough for me to take a few shots.
Comments and suggestions welcome.

Comments

19 comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on November 30, 2009 at 2:08 PM
This is certainly a bedraggled looking falcon. Awesome shot - I like the flat grey background to offset this rather dark peregrine and the detail on the talons is really sweet
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Cordes on November 30, 2009 at 3:34 PM
Great opportunity that you took good advantage of. I like the detail and the high key effect.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 451 Posts, 3366 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on November 30, 2009 at 4:20 PM
Very Nice David!!! I especially like the details of the wet plumage.

Ken Archer
Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Dudley on November 30, 2009 at 4:45 PM
The detail and sharpness on this bird are superb Dave. The forlorn look of the soaked falcon really comes through - even the mighty Peregrine must suffer the weather. I love the detail of the feet and even the nose cone stands out. Quite the image!
Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on November 30, 2009 at 4:53 PM
Perfect sharpness on this one David. The large image is superb in its detail. A very unique image given the wet look of the falcon and the grey skies. Very appealing. Well done.
Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on November 30, 2009 at 5:14 PM
Awesome! And unique in my experience. Wonderful technicals here and such an unusual sight.

Well done.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Balke on November 30, 2009 at 5:18 PM
Splendid image, David. I really like the detail and the unusual "wet feather" look. This bird really jumps out at us. Thos grasping talons are really something special too. :toast: :toast:
Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments
Comment posted by Angela McCain on November 30, 2009 at 6:56 PM
Magnificent.
Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments
Comment posted by Vicki Kadow on November 30, 2009 at 6:57 PM
Well detailed shot of this young Pefa!
Registered on April 16, 2009, 9 Posts, 34 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Saunders on December 1, 2009 at 5:46 AM
Bedraggled but man what detail. A real crisp shot you got there , and look at those talons ! :toast:
Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments
Comment posted by Mia McPherson on December 1, 2009 at 6:33 AM
David,

I think this is an exceptional image and you handled the techs perfectly.

I like the background and how it accentuates the falcon's wet appearance. Lovely details, sharpness and comp. I wouldn't change a thing!
Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments
Comment posted by KC Choo on December 1, 2009 at 6:50 AM
Well done getting close to this guy! Beautifully taken! I wouldn't have waited for the rain to stop :biggrin:
Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments
Comment posted by Sally King on December 1, 2009 at 7:45 AM
Best peregrine image I have ever seen. I love that he/she is wet. The somewhat high key background really keeps your eye on the bird especially that wonderful face. The bird looks almost sad.
Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments
Comment posted by Greg Cope on December 1, 2009 at 1:21 PM
outstanding shot. Spot on techs and beautiful subject
Registered on January 22, 2007, 212 Posts, 2737 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on December 1, 2009 at 4:44 PM
Great to get that close to this beauty David, he's sure wet, wonderful detail. :toast:
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on December 1, 2009 at 5:47 PM
Great detail David and I like the alert nature of the stare. It gives the impression that, despite its bedraggled appearance, if lunch flew past it would be after it in a flash.

cheers
Rob
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on December 1, 2009 at 8:59 PM
Amazing detail David.. Love it
Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Donato on December 1, 2009 at 9:28 PM
Super details. Very nice shot. :toast:
Registered on January 27, 2009, 29 Posts, 247 Comments
Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on December 2, 2009 at 8:07 AM
no nits on this one--this is a truly exceptional shot. the detail is amazing and the exposure is just right. the wet, bedraggled look is icing on the cake. congrats! :toast: :toast:
Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments