Kestrel

Gallery: AvianPosted December 11, 2011221 views19 comments

Hi everyone... I usually see a fair number of kestrels each year here in Utah, but so far this winter they seem to be everywhere! I won't complain... definitely one beautiful raptor.

1DIV @ 700mm
1/2500 f/7.1 iso400

Thanks for taking a look...

John

Comments

19 comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on December 11, 2011 at 1:35 AM

Please send a few here!
Soliciting snowy owls too..
Nice catch here, great colours and perch. I'd wish for a bit more head turn to see both eyes, and perhaps clone out a bit of the brush on the right, but still a fine image as posted.
Sandy

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

Comment posted by John Launstein on December 11, 2011 at 1:53 AM

John: you sure got that right...these guys are stunning. And you did a great job capturing this in a way that shows off his beauty. It seems the angle of light could not be much better, and your processing looks spot-on to me! Great stuff...I'm still trying for a decent kestrel image.

Registered on April 5, 2011, 223 Posts, 1193 Comments

Comment posted by Suzanne Huot on December 11, 2011 at 5:36 AM

John ,you captured his beautiful Kestril plumage colours so well,plus the blue sky background compliments him so well .Looks as if he is deep in thought there on his perch.

Registered on December 28, 2010, 32 Posts, 240 Comments

Comment posted by Scott Frye on December 11, 2011 at 6:36 AM

Great shot of one of the prettiest birds around

Registered on February 3, 2007, 387 Posts, 1136 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on December 11, 2011 at 7:00 AM

Some really nice light and sharpness John. Love the colors on this bird. I like the comp with the blue sky BG and the nice bush perch. Well done.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on December 11, 2011 at 7:53 AM

John, I see many Kestrels on perches like this but I can never get them to land close or allow me to get close enough for a shot. Beautiful image of a beautiful raptor.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on December 11, 2011 at 8:10 AM

I like this as posted. Bird is nice and sharp, sky color looks natural, and I like that it is looking intently on something below. Well done. Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on December 11, 2011 at 8:58 AM

John, I like this a lot. The pose, perch, and comp all work very well for me.

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

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on December 11, 2011 at 9:26 AM

I'm never able to get close to these fast falcons - good job on the exposure and a pretty clean perch. Detail is awesome

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on December 11, 2011 at 11:22 AM

A lovely bird and a nice image. Colors are natural. Good sharpness. I'd suggest trimming slightly on the right to de-center the kestrel.

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on December 11, 2011 at 12:02 PM

John: Very nice image. Perfect pose and a nice perch. I'm with others that would take just a touch off the right side.
Keith

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Craig Strand on December 11, 2011 at 12:49 PM

You have a real "Keeper" here John. I love how you have formatted/framed this exceptional image of a gorgeous bird. Very well done!

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on December 11, 2011 at 5:17 PM

Great image of one of my favorite birds. The colors and detail are top notch and it really stands out against the background.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by John Robinson on December 11, 2011 at 5:18 PM

Great stuff !! Love the gentle pallette and general appearance of this one.
JohnR

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

Comment posted by antino cervigni on December 12, 2011 at 12:53 PM

Excellent portrait! Regards Antino

Registered on April 17, 2010, 70 Posts, 202 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on December 12, 2011 at 4:05 PM

Kestrels have some of the most colorful feather patterns and this shot really show that off, well done.

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on December 13, 2011 at 7:59 PM

Excellent shot with a nice intense look from the Kestrel. Love the bird against this background,

Ray

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

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on December 14, 2011 at 7:46 AM

This looks very good John. Colors look natural, the bird is sharp and nice light. The tangle of twigs is mostly sharp which makes a big difference for me. The only thing I'd suggest is moving the bird slightly to the right in the frame. Well done.

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

Comment posted by May Haga on December 15, 2011 at 8:15 PM

Beautifully captured John.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments