American Kestrel

Gallery: AvianPosted January 12, 2014849 views14 comments

This is the same bird as my last post. After she left the sluice pipe screw, she flew up into a tree. I couldn't get a clear view of her, but was shocked when I saw this image during processing, since this was handheld and I was uncomfortably contorted in the car! I decided to make it a portrait...I think the image quality holds up on this large crop.

50D, 500mm@ 700, ISO 200, F5/6, 1/1000 LARGER image is available. Thanks for your comments and critiques....I appreciate them! Sharon

Comments

14 comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 12, 2014 at 9:26 AM

This is the original image....

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on January 12, 2014 at 9:51 AM

Closer and closer..

. Good choice indeed, 'cause it's a very pleasant portrait ! Congrats ! Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Mark Jenkins on January 12, 2014 at 10:35 AM

Wonderful portrait, Sharon. Can relate to 'uncomfortably contorted in the car' especially when shooting out of the passenger side. Any suggestions on how to make that easier?

Registered on April 20, 2008, 307 Posts, 604 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on January 12, 2014 at 10:50 AM

Hi--the details are preserved nicely in the crop. There is a hint of artifacts in the beak, but it does not detract much from the image. Well done........Jim

Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments

Comment posted by Barb Pflaum on January 12, 2014 at 12:19 PM

Very nice portrait! I like the expression on her face and the angle of her head.

Registered on January 14, 2009, 316 Posts, 2724 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 12, 2014 at 9:22 PM

A lot of detail for sure - must have been a thrill to get so close to this species. The large crop does show it's face though (no pun intended) perhaps back off a bit

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

Comment posted by Balan Vinod on January 12, 2014 at 11:52 PM

Sharon ...beautiful image and fine details and color separation liked this a lot ..

Balan Vinod

Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 13, 2014 at 2:07 PM

Sweet, Sharon. Excellent image quality, though I am starting to see some "graininess" in the larger image-maybe back off on the sharpening a trifle?

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

Comment posted by Bill Kellermeyer on January 13, 2014 at 4:21 PM

Wonderful portrait. Such great detail and color.

Registered on March 19, 2013, 52 Posts, 161 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 14, 2014 at 9:08 AM

nice, Sharon. a big crop, but probably the best approach given the original. details look good, and your processing looks great. I like having the chance to see the face so close up.

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

Comment posted by May Haga on January 14, 2014 at 10:33 AM

Looks very sharp to me. Well done Sharon.
May

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

Comment posted by Ákos Lumnitzer on January 14, 2014 at 7:13 PM

Certainly looks very good quality for the crop it is. Lovely presentation,

Registered on April 24, 2004, 25 Posts, 510 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 17, 2014 at 9:22 AM

Very pleasing portrait, these are very beautiful birds.
Unfortunately, I've never been graced with a close enough encounter

Held up nicely to your crop, I like this Sharon!

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

Comment posted by William Bickle on January 17, 2014 at 4:22 PM

Hello Sharon

Well done, with this capture, and the crop has held up OK!)

Cheers

Bill

Registered on June 13, 2011, 183 Posts, 1702 Comments