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American Kestrel
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American Kestrel

by Ron Dudley

Gallery: AvianPosted February 2, 2010330 views32 comments
For the last several weeks we've had our choice of light around here - bad, rotten and mediocre. It was snowing when I took this shot. This is the same bird and perch as in Mia's recent kestrel post.

7D, 1/400, f/10 (for DOF in other poses), ISO 500, 500 f/4, shot from pickup window on 1-24-2010, cropped to 79% of original image, natural light, cropped and selective sharpening to bird and perch with no other processing, background is the snow-covered Wasatch Mtns., not baited

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

32 comments
Comment posted by István Molnár on February 2, 2010 at 5:55 PM
Hi Ron!
I like the soft light and soft colors.nice work!
Congrats :István
Hungary :toast: :toast:
Registered on January 7, 2010, 114 Posts, 704 Comments
Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on February 2, 2010 at 6:00 PM
You guys sure complain a lot. It's too cold... It's too foggy... :rolleyes: I don't see anything to complain about though if you're getting a bird like this one to sit like this one is. You seem to be taking complete advantage of the situation too. "My" kestrel won't let me get anywhere near him, but the light here is awesome. Another beauty, Ron. :toast: :jump:
Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments
Comment posted by Anthony Vincent on February 2, 2010 at 6:01 PM
I love Kestrels and what a great portrait of them. Beautiful colors in this bird of prey
Registered on February 5, 2009, 199 Posts, 2775 Comments
Comment posted by David Sparks on February 2, 2010 at 6:35 PM
Wonderful photo of a beautiful bird. My wife just walked into my office, looked at the large version on the screen and said "That's not yours." Wonder how she knew?
:toast:
Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments
Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 2, 2010 at 7:10 PM
Great head turn and detail here Ron :toast: :toast:
Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments
Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on February 2, 2010 at 7:21 PM
Gorgeous! Great detail and a nice intimate look at this beauty. Sharon
Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments
Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 2, 2010 at 7:47 PM
I like the soft light and detail, Ron. The perch doesn't look very comfortable, but the bird doesn't seem to mind. Nice work.
Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments
Comment posted by KC Choo on February 2, 2010 at 7:54 PM
Love the soft light - wonderful detail and pose! Well done, Ron!
Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments
Comment posted by Simon Bennett on February 2, 2010 at 8:21 PM
Wonderful capture of a most handsome subject. Nice soft light too.
Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments
Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 2, 2010 at 8:27 PM
Couldn't be better Ron. The snow has given the wonderful effect of even lighting from all sides. I have concluded that you are able to get these guys at eye level like this because you have NO TREES in Utah. :biggrin:
Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Dudley on February 2, 2010 at 8:34 PM
Thanks Gary. Actually we do have lots of trees in Utah (I know you were kidding) but there are very few out on the refuge. This perch is a relatively short dead snag between the dirt road and the large empoundment to the east so kestrels are attracted to it as a perch and get used to the vehicles on the road because of all the hunters.
Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments
Comment posted by Keith A Anderson on February 2, 2010 at 8:35 PM
You made a great photo despite the lighting. Super pose, detail and colors here and the even lighting works well. I've yet to find a kestrel that let me get this close much less posing for me. :toast: :toast:
Registered on February 13, 2006, 166 Posts, 1818 Comments
Comment posted by Dan Walters on February 2, 2010 at 8:48 PM
Great detail in the kestrel. Nice color and very sharp.
Registered on October 30, 2005, 405 Posts, 3693 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Jenkins on February 2, 2010 at 8:54 PM
Wonderful feather detail and lighting. Perfect, congrats on a really good one, Ron.
Registered on April 20, 2008, 307 Posts, 604 Comments
Comment posted by Lindy Martin on February 2, 2010 at 9:00 PM
:toast: :toast: :toast: Excellent capture for a speedy little guy. Glad you finally have some snow. Ron, did you use manual programing or did you use any type of exposure compensation? The detail is great - especially the white feathers against white snow.
Registered on March 10, 2009, 60 Posts, 169 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on February 2, 2010 at 9:00 PM
Simply Sweet Ron!!! :toast:

Ken Archer
Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments
Comment posted by Ron Dudley on February 2, 2010 at 9:14 PM
"Ron, did you use manual programing or did you use any type of exposure compensation?"

Thanks Lindy. Exp comp was +1. I've got to start remembering to include that in my techs.
Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments
Comment posted by Angela McCain on February 2, 2010 at 10:04 PM
Another great photo (by you) of a great bird. All I have is belly pictures of Kestrels on high wires. Well done.
Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments
Comment posted by Nick Saunders on February 2, 2010 at 10:12 PM
At least you have something to photograph Ron :wink:

Stunning detail :toast:
Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments
Comment posted by Luke Ormand on February 2, 2010 at 10:17 PM
I can count the number of times I've seen this species - let alone photographed them, and here you go complaining about the lighting you get! :wink: Just kidding Ron. Another great falcon shot with surprisingly good light and detail in the eye.

- Luke
Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 2, 2010 at 10:45 PM
Gee, Ron, I thought you lived in the sunbelt. You sound like a Northwesterner. Wonderful detail and a beautiful image even with the high key bg. :toast:
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 3, 2010 at 12:39 AM
You two are killing me with these kestrel shots!
SWEEEET!
Sandy r
Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments
Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 3, 2010 at 5:11 AM
Another delighfully detailed and delicate shot of a kestrel on an improbably small perch - well done Ron.

cheers
Rob
Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Wilson on February 3, 2010 at 5:34 AM
Very nice Ron! The overcast skies and big natural reflector on the ground has given you some wonderful, even light...which you have made the most of here.
Registered on May 17, 2006, 70 Posts, 1166 Comments
Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on February 3, 2010 at 6:39 AM
Perfect shot, all the positive comments have been told already...!!! :toast:
Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments
Comment posted by Ajit Huilgol on February 3, 2010 at 8:09 AM
What a marvellous image, Ron! :toast:
Registered on December 19, 2008, 302 Posts, 2055 Comments
Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 3, 2010 at 8:18 AM
Aren't you getting bored with all of this unadulterated praise, Ron?.....and all that I can do is add to it: beautiful shot. :toast: :toast:
Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments
Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 3, 2010 at 10:41 AM
A very pleasing image with nice mood. THe soft mediocre light works quite well here.
Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments
Comment posted by Loulou Beavers on February 3, 2010 at 2:32 PM
I love the soft light en the white BG, makes the kestrel stand out.
Registered on June 21, 2008, 73 Posts, 205 Comments
Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on February 3, 2010 at 7:37 PM
So beautiful. Love the pose. I got my very first Kestral today... I'm so excited.
Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Dubois on February 3, 2010 at 7:42 PM
Beauty Ron! :toast: That soft light is magical.
Registered on February 22, 2005, 129 Posts, 4739 Comments
Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 3, 2010 at 8:41 PM
Ron,

You already know I think this is great as posted and the reasons why. Excellent exposure control in those challenging conditions, appealing pose, colors & sharpness.

Excellent image.
Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments