Kestrel from a different point of view

40D, 500f4L with 1.4x, ISO400, 1/400, f/8, +2/3

I've had a image like this in my mind for some time although I'd always planned on a head on version! Anyway the situation presented itself where the kestrel was hovering, albeit facing away from me, at my eye level whilst I watched it from my car so I quickly grabbed the camera and managed to get a few shots of it. This was the only one where there wasn't any blurred rocks in the background. I really like how it's turned out and it looks great at full size

Thanks

Hi Paul,

Just seen this on your website and thought what a cracker. Nice to see a different point of view. Good detail and well exposed, I can see a slight sharpening halo though. I'm very tempted by the 300/2.8, if you still have it for sale at the end of November, give me a shout

Regards

Rob

Good to see the tail and wing markings so clearly but it doesn't work for me with the head completely hidden.May work better as a shot in a series illustrating their hunting technique,as opposed to a stand alone image.

Well it certainly is a different PoV

I've got to say great exposure control, and the shot shows perfectly the effects of the vortices on the wing coverts

As Justin said, it's not quite working for me as I can't see the head, but then again it would be impossible to see the head and what we can see at the same time whilst the bird is in the hover.

Thanks guys, I knew it wouldn't be to everyones taste but like Andy says you can't have one without the other.

Rob it may have been a sharpening halo but as I sharpened it ever so slightly I think it may have been my general processing that left a slight halo, anyway I've had another go at it and reposted it on my site. And yes I'll let you know about the 300.

Hi Paul - your website repost does look better - but it could look even better with a bit more work in PS.

Same views as the above Paul!

Definately more suited to a series

Alan