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Kestrel

Discussion

24 replies
Posted by Nigel Blake on November 19, 2009 at 12:15 PM
I had a fantastic (totally unexpected) session with this bird whilst on my way to Norfolk.
It seemed to favour a place where the updraught from the wind hitting a bank allowed it to just hang on the breeze and it kept returning to the same spot, I got closer between each of its visits and ended up with 300+ very full frame images of it on the wing.
There are lots more on my Flickr!

Canon EOS1DsMkIII, 600mmf4 IS L and 1.4X (I later took the converter off and the bird still overfilled the frame) The sequence of 11 frames this shot is from are my favourites because of the birds talons position and the intensity of the hunt.
ISO 320, 1/1250th @ F7.1 +2/3rds EV, selected (expanded) focus point on the birds eye, AF tracking 'medium slow'
RAW convert DPP, levels, resize & sharpen CS3
Posted by jeff acreman on November 19, 2009 at 12:27 PM
hi nigel

one of the best in flight kestral shots i have seen, great detail and colour/s, you have as you state captured the intense moment of raptor and prey (to be), well done just great

jeff acreman
Posted by Bertl Menegoni on November 19, 2009 at 12:28 PM
Congratulations Nigel,
you cought the concentration on the hunt perfectly.
:toast: :toast:
Bertl
Posted by Craig Churchill on November 19, 2009 at 2:13 PM
Well deserved for the time you put in!!!!
One of the best i've seen!!


Craig
www.craigchurchill.co.uk :toast: :toast:
Posted by Justin on November 19, 2009 at 3:03 PM
Stunner :toast:
Posted by Dave Courtenay on November 19, 2009 at 3:07 PM
Never had much luck myself with Kestrels so some image envy going on here-the talon position is great as is the intensity of the birds concentration-Great image

Dave :toast: :toast:
Posted by Tim Taylor on November 19, 2009 at 3:21 PM
Fantastic! Great that all his attention is on the prey despite you obviously having got so close.

Tim :toast: :toast:
Posted by Dave Bartlett on November 19, 2009 at 4:12 PM
Indeed it's all in the feet - fantastic image :toast:
Posted by Ian Mason on November 19, 2009 at 4:25 PM
Wonderful image! Those talons are incredible.
Posted by Maggie Campbell on November 19, 2009 at 4:39 PM
I think without doubt the best Kestrel in flight shot I have seen. The detail is tremendous, especially the eye and the clenched claws. Brilliant. :wavey: :jump: :toast:
Posted by Craig Jones on November 19, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Beautiful pose caught there and the detail and colours are stunning,very nice :wink: :wink: :wavey:
Posted by Paul Rosser on November 19, 2009 at 6:30 PM
BRILLIANT!!!!
Reagrds,
Paul. :wavey:
Posted by Sandra Hendrikse on November 20, 2009 at 2:42 AM
Fantastic shot. :smile:
Posted by Tim Munsey on November 20, 2009 at 3:38 AM
It's great when they let you share their space, great light and super detail!

Tim
Posted by David Sewell on November 20, 2009 at 4:07 AM
That is fantastic, love the talons.

David

:toast: :toast:
Posted by Barry Southon on November 20, 2009 at 4:44 AM
Nigel

They don't come much better than this capture.
:wink:
Posted by Ian Macdermott on November 20, 2009 at 6:23 AM
Spot on excellent :toast:
Posted by Simon Phillpotts on November 20, 2009 at 7:19 AM
Great stuff Nigel, I know how hard it can be to get within a decent range of these guys. Great pose and detail :toast:

Simon
Posted by Fran French on November 20, 2009 at 12:28 PM
It has all been said Nigel....simply stunning.

Fran :toast:
Posted by Ian Haskell on November 20, 2009 at 5:29 PM
Sweet...and the talons. Kewl.

Ian
Posted by Nigel Blake on November 21, 2009 at 7:24 AM
Very many thanks to all for the mass of comments.
Posted by Peter Cairns on November 21, 2009 at 11:32 AM
Superb.

Pete
Posted by David Kjaer on November 21, 2009 at 12:45 PM
Super capture Nigel!

David :toast: :toast:
Posted by Robert Lawrence on November 22, 2009 at 8:51 AM
Great flight shot.
Robert
Posted by Mark Sisson on November 23, 2009 at 10:43 AM
Been away so only just caught up with this one - an absolute cracker Nigel and one of those moments when it just all goes right that we live for!!

Mark