Kestrel with prey + re edit

Taken this morning at Snettisham on a day that had everything - roost flocks, Peregrine, Kingfisher, Stoat, Hare......and this chap who provided me with my shots of the day.

Camera: Canon EOS-1D Mark III
Exposure: 1/4000 sec
Aperture: f/4.0
Focal Length: 500 mm
ISO Speed: 400
Exposure Bias: 0 EV

Good image of both bird and prey Graham and a very nice complimentary background. The Kestrel looks a little dark though on my monitor.

That is a really nice image Graham. The detail is amazing, the light looks pretty good too & the BG is better still !

was the perch on the wonk anyway? Excellent image, simple yet very effective.

Drew

This is a good shot, but a little work with the shadows/highlight command (or whatever equivalent you use) could turn it into a great one. Try lightening the shadows about 25%.

David

Nit covered but otherwise a very nice image. Great pose and a lovely background.

Hi Graham, great capture & pose, one for the book

The bird does look a tad dark, but the detail is there, just needs a little tweak. Excellent BG which gives good emphasis to the subject.

Thank God the mobile was off when you rang

Beautiful image Graham, and love the lighting,what a find!!! sorry I missed you,would have been nice to see you again,I was playing 'Look Like The Shingle' ,cracking shot you have here all the best

Great composition and detail, lovely lighting and a gorgeous background but, as others have said, the bird looks just a little dark - well caught

A real nice image , I agree with the shadow but still works and hold plenty of detail there .

I really like this, Nice pose from the Kestrel & it stands out well against the pale BG. Nice perch & comp too.

Lee

Nits covered, I feel this is a wonderful image. Lovely composition and b/g..

Fran

Thanks everyone - the subject was backlit and I've a few more of the bird, including it taking off with it's prey. I'll post that soon, and try to lighten this one.

(Craig - there was a Nikon shooter sitting next to me in the Roost hide yesterday talking about a big bloke who was hiding on the shore-line........I guessed that would be you)

Fabulous shot Graham. The BG and the pose are to die for!

Agreed, just a little lightening of the bird itself and you have a fine image here....

minor nit mentioned but a very nice shot. Well taken.

Matt

Congratulations Graham, looks like you had a very sucessful weekend. Excellent results

Calum

Thanks for your advice guys - here's a re-edit.

Cheers

Graham, the re-edit of the bird to me is way better but maybe just slightly to bright for the background as it has introduced a bit of noise.

I think it may have worked better just selecting the bird and leaving the background as it was....