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Kestrel
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Kestrel

by David Sewell

Gallery: Regional: UKNPPosted February 10, 2011176 views11 comments
Apologies if you saw this a little earlier and wondered why it was deleted. I posted the shots in RGB instead of sRGB, and unsurprisingly they looked flat.

This was taken while I was walking along the local sea wall about a mile from home. The bird flopped down in front of me and sat there while I approached more closely. I would, of course, have preferred a natural perch, but took what I was given in the circumstances and was glad to get it. Two intrusive teasel heads cloned out, and cropped to about 75% of full frame.

Thanks for looking.

David

Nikon D300, 600mm Nikon, Gitzo tripod, 200iso, 1/320th @ f6.3

Comments

11 comments
Comment posted by Stephen Kaluski on February 10, 2011 at 11:53 AM
Hi David, I do like the position of the bird on the diagonal line which is a very strong, graphic element, along with the bold yellow lichen. I like the plumage detail and colouring of the Kestrel, and that keen, sharp, focused eye. Might be tempted to move the bird a fraction lower within the frame perhaps and tone down the longer branch coming in from the LHS?

The setting is a nice change. :toast:

TFS
Steve :wavey:
Registered on March 25, 2007, 189 Posts, 1064 Comments
Comment posted by Karen Summers on February 10, 2011 at 5:52 PM
I like this David colours are lovely and some very nice detail, I love Kestrels and they are not easy to get so well done
Registered on December 3, 2009, 83 Posts, 818 Comments
Comment posted by John Robinson on February 10, 2011 at 6:35 PM
I like this one . Certainly different.
I don,t think much could be done to it.
Nice as is.
JohnR
Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments
Comment posted by Ian Mason on February 11, 2011 at 4:47 AM
A beauty! Nicely fluffed up too. I also think you could lose a little from the bottom.
Registered on December 14, 2005, 399 Posts, 2305 Comments
Comment posted by Ian Macdermott on February 11, 2011 at 9:19 AM
Hi David,

different and all the better for it :toast:

Not really much to nit pick only lose a bit off the bottom :smile:
Registered on January 31, 2008, 15 Posts, 135 Comments
Comment posted by David Kjaer on February 11, 2011 at 12:09 PM
Hi David

He certainly looks cold - nice one as this is a species you often can't get very close to.

David :toast:
Registered on January 4, 2006, 128 Posts, 4170 Comments
Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on February 11, 2011 at 12:46 PM
Excellent!
I agree, you have to take the shot while you have the chance, wildlife won't pose for long.
Well captured.

Geoff.
Registered on August 20, 2010, 192 Posts, 980 Comments
Comment posted by Kim Connolly on February 11, 2011 at 1:07 PM
I like this very much - lovely detail. :toast:
Registered on June 18, 2008, 14 Posts, 226 Comments
Comment posted by keith mitchell on February 11, 2011 at 2:59 PM
David a real good capture of this relaxed looking bird,don't think i would change it.
:toast: Keith.
Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments
Comment posted by Mark Davies on February 11, 2011 at 5:05 PM
Fine despite the PS work . The bird higher up the frame for me with the yellow as a lead , I too like the diagonal
Registered on February 3, 2009, 21 Posts, 327 Comments
Comment posted by Roy Bailey on February 13, 2011 at 9:28 AM
excellent shot of a very relaxed looking kestrel. Lots of good detail here The diagonal of yellow does work well here as stated. Might be temped to reduce the strength of yellow in the lichen,however the yellow arround the eye and cere look right. :toast:
Registered on November 16, 2008, 24 Posts, 486 Comments