Kestrel w/ added sharpening

posted here to evaluate added sharpening (bird only) from original Avian post - can't post a second big image in the Avian forum.

Sandy

This is better IMO, and more in keeping with your past images. It would be easier for everyone to see the improvement if you made a single side-by-side composite 720x720 pixel image with a detail crop of the same area from both versions of the larger image and added it here to this thread.

I didn't see your original post but went back and compared the two large versions side by side. IMO it is much improved. Awesome image, Sandy. Congrats on an excellent capture.

To be honest, what I see in a "side by side" is about the same sharpening in both. The second image has a higher red saturation. I do think the second image is an improvement, however.

Sandy, not critiqing, I think it is an excellent shot. My question is what lens were you using and how did you get that close? I have plenty of Kestrels around here but they are so skittish that just driving the road by the pasture where they all hang out makes them take off before there's even a chance for a shot. Thanks, Ray Dove

Ray, the original with techs is in the Avian Gallery, sorry. This was posted in the Forum so I could post a larger image to show improved sharpening.
With all birds, it is patience and very good luck!For me, this is about the first decent kestrel shot after years of stalking them. All you can do is keep trying..maybe if they see the truck often enough , they will be less skittish -

D800
500 + TC 1.4x
1/1250 sec, f/5.6
Mode: Av
Metering: Spot
Exp comp: +1
ISO: 1000
AF mode: AF-C
White balance: AUTO1
Flash: Off
Beanbag from car window

The second one looks sharper and has better contrast and saturation to my eye. It definitely gets my vote.