Male Kestrel plus original

Havent been out & about for a while due to lots of things going on, anyway I managed to get a shot today of the male Kestrel that hunts around our Centre. At times he does come in close & I mean close, I think he didn't realise I was there.

Thanks for looking

Back to work now

D2X 200mm F2 VR
ISO 100
F2.4
1/45sec Handheld

About 20% cropped out to frame

Greatstuff !
Certainly is close for a wild one- especially with a 200mm!
Cheers
JR

Hi John, yes he perched very close but not for long though, he never does Just 1 decent shot really for which I am pleased with. All our (c) kestels by the way are all female.

Vince

Superb shot. I would have preferred to see it in portrait format, but I guess you did not have time to turn the camera around before he was gone.
David

Hi Vince

Nice soft light showing good detail and a great BG - very minor nit I think this would have worked better in a portrait format as it is a little tight top & bottom!

David

Hi Vincent,
very fine shot of this beautiful bird. I like the composition too.
have fun,
Bertl

Thanks for the comments, portrait mode would of been good but I didn't have chance to do much, not even rotate the camera & even focus properly

Here is the original shot that was taken, resized for web

Vince

Vincent, I was going to say the original was a bit tight but you beat me to it with the repost. I actually prefer the repost (original) but then I am a great fan of space on an image. NIce one.
Robert

I thin k you did very well Vince under the circumstances.. A really nice encounter and even though you grabbed what you could, you made a good job of it... Shame it was a bit tight but I'd still be very happy with a shot like it in my PF..

Brett

I prefer the first image but would like it to be a bit less tight in the frame.
Rene de heer

As a portrait on the first shot I don't mind the tightness so much, as it takes you straight into the eyes which works fine, in my opinion.. I'm just not a big fan of the overall aspect ratio of the crop.

Repost is better, however you've taken away the impact of the eye contact. I think a compromise somewhere in between would be best.

Very nice image overall, the catchlight works well and the colors are very pleasing. I also like the way the perch vaguely forms a continuation of the bird's shape.

I would be very happy to have this. Yes you could play with the composition, but that's personal preference. The pose and colours here are exquisite.

THats a very nice shot. Good to see you here again

Very nice picture. I prefer the first one, but I think it needs a little bit more space .