Perched Kestrel hunting during rehab

Taken a while back during the re-release of this adorable Wild Kestrel.

Thanks for looking

D2X - 400mm AF-S F2.8
ISO 200, F6.3, 1/500sec
Handheld

Vincent,

Nice image. I love the detail in the feathers.

To me the perch looks a little out of place, I feel it should be more horizontal. Having said that I've never photographed BOP in this way, and wouldn't know where to start.

How do you persuade the Kestrel to land on this particular branch, do you just have to wait?

Rob

Hi Rob Thanks for the comments, I know what you mean about the perch & its angle, more effort was put into releasing back to the wild than photographing her, the shots taken were more or less grab shots with the odd hunting perches put into the ground around the release aviary.

The Kestrel was easily persuade with food to land on these perches but the Kestrel only stayed there for short periods of time whilst the camera kit was out.

I hope this answers the what you have asked

Vince

Blooming marvellous, mind you a fraction more sharpening I reckon. Bokeh to die for.



Tim

Another stunner and I couldn't agree more with Tim about the Bokeh. I can also see Rob's point about the perch - but it doesn't detract from the image for me. I think I might have cropped a little off the bottom but that's a purely personal thing.



dennis

Cracking shot.

Wish i had a pet bird of prey(or someone that rear'd them).

Again its awesome what you people are doing for these bids

Vince,

Why was this bird in your care, was it involved in an accident?

Rob