American Kestrel

Blood, talons, the beak of a predator - still the breast feathers seem soft and cuddly. Technicals be damned - a terrific picture.

Hi ya' Ron...This is a lovely Kestrel photo. It's plenty sharp, has great soft lighting, a good background. What more would you want? The blood stains are no problem. If you can get him to hold still long enough, wet wipes will take those blood stains right off the feathers.

Another great kestrel shot Ron. As far as the technicals go, a very interesting comment you make in your discription of this shot about possibly screwing up on the settings. The only part of the techs I personnal see as being a possible degrading factor would be the ISO setting of 640, which could cause some noise in the bird and thus reduce image quality. However, knowing the 7D, 640 is one of the better ISO settings for reduced noise and it shows here with very good IQ. Otherwise, I see f7.1 and 1/2000s as a good call for this shot as you have plenty of DOF for a static shot and good SS in case the bird takes off, or another bird comes into the picture. I like setting up like this just in case an action shot suddenly presents itself. Hey, you never know what a bird, or other birds are going to do. So, no screw up on the techs as far as I am concerned. Well done.

Hi Ron,
When I first saw the thumbnail my thought was that it was to centered, but it grew on me as I looked at the larger versions. I like the steely blue-grey,overcast sky. It gives a nice diffuse light that envelopes the Kestrel and enhances all that fine detail.
Nice find.
Neil

Love that pose...beautiful capture!

I really like this Ron, that bloodstain on its chest belies the sweet and cuddly look of those feathers and the steely sky really adds to the mood of this magnificent raptor, setting off the beauty of the bird well. A wonderful pose and perch as well.

I like this very much as presented. A beautiful bird in a simple clean composition in soft light - a good recipe for a fine image.

That pale blue sky looks familiar, really works with the soft colors of the Kestrel. I want to see a little more of the fine perch, cropping it to include that entire branch that is currently truncated at the frame edge. A little extra shutter speed is rarely a bad thing, noise is minimal to nil, so no harm done with the 640 iso.

Thanks Gary. I agree with you about the truncated perch. Sadly, this is full frame vertically. There's nowhere to go down below.

A delightful composition Ron. I do like your kestrel series, and this is a fine addition to it. Techs look good to me.

Beautiful image, Ron. I like the overall pastel feel of this one. I do question your definition of low light. If I can get 1/2000 at iso 640, I figure it's high noon in July around here.

Exquisite! The soft light and detail is exceptional.
Not the tiniest nit from me.
Sandy r

Great bird, awesome shot, Ron
Mauro

Sweet One Ron!!!

Ken Archer

Ron, I love this shot! these little guys are my most difficult to photograph. I just have a hard time getting close enough for my liking. The detail and exposure looks great here

This almost has the feeling of a painting.

this sure is nice, Ron--love the look and the soft light to go with the soft look of this beautiful bird. I agree with other comments on the techs, on the 7D, I think ISO 640 is generally quite good, especially with a light bg.

Lovely soft colours and detail Ron

cheers
Rob

Excellent detail and pose here, Ron. I like the blood on the talons and feathers. I think you handled the light very well.

Ron, great colors and I like the soft portrayal of this predator bird.

The beautiful soft pale colors and the nice fluffy feathers make him look like a harmless stuffed toy not the killer he actually is. Great capture.
May

Nice detail. My only nit is to wish for a snowy weather

You have so many comments on this shot by now, Ron, it's pretty hard for me to add anything. It certainly deserves all of the praise it has been receiving. It's interesting that the bird is almost centered but the comp still looks fine. Also, even just the hint of a catchlight in the eye still works well.

Ron,

This image doesn't scream, but the soft, subtle and natural colors draw me right in and keep me in the frame. The pose is wonderful and the fluffed out feathers are evidence of how chilly it was that morning. The bood left over from it's last meal was and is reality and as such I find it an integral part of this well done kestrel photo.

I forgot, I wish I had an image like this in my files.

Oh wait, I DO!

I was just sitting here pining for one of your kestril photos and here one is. Thank you for posting it. I'm glad raptor "season" is upon us again. I look forward to seeing your images.