American Kestrel

Gallery: AvianPosted July 18, 2011302 views23 comments

This kestrel is a little roughed up and bloodied and I'm not happy with the perch but I thought the behavior interesting and I liked the pose.

7D, 1/1600, f/8, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 6/2/11, cropped to 58% of original image, sharpened bird, vole and perch, no additional processing or adjustments, natural light, not set up or baited

Larger image provided

Comments/critique appreciated.

Comments

23 comments

Comment posted by Charlie Baugh on July 18, 2011 at 6:50 PM

You caught this little bird doing what it does best. It will have time to clean up later. I noticed that it also has what looks like blood on it's tail feathers. That vole looks a pretty good size for the Kestrel, so it may have had a struggle overcoming it's prey.

Charlie

Registered on April 18, 2011, 329 Posts, 1985 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on July 18, 2011 at 7:01 PM

Another magnificent image. I sometimes stare at your images and try and find something wrong. I've really never found anything, but today I will agree that the perch isn't ideal-the bird's fault, not yours'.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on July 18, 2011 at 7:31 PM

Wonderful capture Ron, I too like the behavior and pose, I think the perch is fine. Well done!

Registered on March 30, 2008, 416 Posts, 2885 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on July 18, 2011 at 8:33 PM

Very nice - a great view of the action and your typical first rate techs.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on July 18, 2011 at 10:54 PM

Gorgeous lighting and action here Ron, I love the splayed tail. I agree with you on the perch.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on July 19, 2011 at 1:43 AM

Wonderful, Ron. The image is easily strong enough that the perch isn't an issue at all; I might not have noticed it but for your comment. Impeccable techs.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on July 19, 2011 at 1:47 AM

for my taste I would brighten little bit eye, other that great shot .......

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on July 19, 2011 at 1:59 AM

But HE liked the perch - a nice, flat dinner plate.
I imagine "roughed-up and bloody" is a common thing after a major fight for food.
great pose, nice eye, your usual fine detail, and excellent BG.
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Jagdeep Rajput on July 19, 2011 at 6:16 AM

Beautiful capture, great behaviour, pose n fantail !
May prefer to darken the perch.
Jagdeep Rajput

Registered on April 29, 2008, 686 Posts, 2857 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Maile on July 19, 2011 at 8:58 AM

Great bird Ron, one I've seen but yet to have get a photo of.

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on July 19, 2011 at 9:08 AM

love the fanned tail, raised wing, prey, and nice light in the eye, Ron. a great bg too. I guess the perch is not so great but I have a pretty hard time taking my eyes off the rest of the image to notice.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on July 19, 2011 at 9:39 AM

The pose is great and I don't mind the perch, Ron. They seem to like man-made perches-just wish they weren't so camera shy.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on July 19, 2011 at 11:10 AM

Hi Ron.
The perch is where the bird chose to sit we can't change that even though i often wish i could,to get back ti your image i recon it's perfection.
Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on July 19, 2011 at 3:44 PM

Nice one Ron.
Little more canvas left would help but no big deal.
JohnR

Registered on March 2, 2008, 535 Posts, 2453 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on July 19, 2011 at 6:11 PM

Excellent shot Ron with wonderful detail through out the image. I really like how the tail is fanned out and the good directional light really brings out the subtle colors of the Kestrel and you can see the bloodied spots along the back of the bird. The larger image looks great, well done.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on July 19, 2011 at 6:57 PM

Wonderful shot, the fanned tail really makes it.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on July 20, 2011 at 1:38 AM

I agree with your own assessment of the photo. You have excellent detail and the dof is perfect, clean background too. Looks like a kestrel that works for a living with the worn feathers. I would be very happy to have this in my files Ron.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on July 20, 2011 at 3:42 AM

Your usual superb image quality Ron. Is it overbalancing?

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Peter Conway on July 20, 2011 at 10:14 PM

I think that may be the ugliest Kestrel I have ever seen.

But as always the photography is superb! Good stuff!

Peter

Registered on June 25, 2007, 347 Posts, 3913 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on July 22, 2011 at 6:15 PM

Way to go Ron, the photo to "die" for..especially if your the hapless mouse

Excellent my friend, hope you have a great weekend!

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by David Williams on July 22, 2011 at 6:34 PM

Hey Ron,
Great lighting and pose.......was it windy, or was it just balancing that way? Good natural action, and the head position is just right for the shot.

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on July 22, 2011 at 6:40 PM

Thanks Dave. No, it wasn't windy. The kestrel couldn't decide whether to eat the meal on the post or to fly away with it. It held this awkward position for about a half second - then flew.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on July 23, 2011 at 8:21 PM

The Kestrel is wearing work clothes. I understand why you like the pose. The BG and techs are excellent as well.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments