American Kestrel

Gallery: AvianPosted January 17, 2011148 views11 comments

Falco sparverius

This is the first time I have posted an image with a man made object in the frame. I usually work really hard to avoid it, but I could not pass up the nice light and background for this little Kestrel. I hope the sign is not a total deal breaker.

7D, 500mm f4L IS + 1.4 tc
1/800, f9.0, ISO 200
64% of full frame
Shot from truck window.

All comments and critique are very appreciated.
Thank You.

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 17, 2011 at 9:12 PM

HI Matt: I don't think the sign is a deal breaker. Certainly not a common perch!! Kind of reminds of the sheriff guarding the wetland boundary!! Bird is great, and that background..... Wow!

Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on January 17, 2011 at 9:13 PM

Matt, this is a beautiful, clear, detailed image with great light and a perfect background.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on January 17, 2011 at 9:35 PM

Very nice, sign and all. Love the background, pose of the bird, and the details. I can never get this close to one of these kestrals.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on January 17, 2011 at 9:52 PM

Beautiful image of this kestrel. I like the sign. The background is great and the color is perfect to match the bird. Nice detail in the larger image-including a bloody beak.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on January 17, 2011 at 10:44 PM

While I would prefer a nice branch or other "natural" perch, this works and actually makes a statement about the importance of wetlands. Background and image quality are top notch!

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 17, 2011 at 10:55 PM

Really well done Matt. Love the detail and sharpness of the bird. The BG is a wow in my book. Sign fits IMO.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 18, 2011 at 8:22 AM

Matt,

Love the color of the background in this image, it compliments the color of the kestrel very well. I've no problem with the sign, we have a lot of signs out here too like this one, you never know when an editor might actually want an image with a sign such as this for publication. Love the look at the eye and the profile of the bill.

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Graham on January 18, 2011 at 12:51 PM

No problem with the sign as it is a different perch than normal. Nice detail and pose in the bird, with great light.

Registered on August 22, 2006, 842 Posts, 2824 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on January 18, 2011 at 1:03 PM

Matt,
I like this image a lot. A different perch and a beautiful bird very well captured.

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Jason Scanlan on January 18, 2011 at 5:19 PM

I like this with the sign because it advertises that the wet land habitat is working. Very Nice

Registered on August 12, 2007, 8 Posts, 46 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 19, 2011 at 8:35 AM

Like this BG that compliments, nice details, color, & light Matt.
The sign makes it a very novel image..
I've tried shooting these from my truck as well, but never luck enough to find them on a low perch like this so far..
Well done

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments