American kestrel

Gallery: AvianPosted January 24, 2011246 views28 comments

First good op I ever had with a kestrel and I did not have my TC on. When I am traveling it always seems to throw me off my game a bit. I still think it turned out well. Please view the larger version for best detail.

Canon 1DM4
500mm f/4
ISO 800
1/2000s
f/6.3
Manual exp.
Hand Held
30% of FF
No NR

Comments

28 comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on January 24, 2011 at 5:15 PM

Sweet. I'd love to have taken this.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on January 24, 2011 at 5:19 PM

Awesome image, Ron. Superb perch, impressive sharpness, wonderful detail

I like very much the tender colors of the bird against the pale, silky BG !
Congratulations.
Mauro

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on January 24, 2011 at 5:40 PM

Very nice, Ron! I've never been able to shoot any of these even a plentiful as they are in my neck of the woods, always seem to be hanging out on power lines and such.

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Eric Diller on January 24, 2011 at 5:59 PM

Nice capture Ron....great opportunity to get so close!

Registered on October 2, 2009, 69 Posts, 434 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on January 24, 2011 at 6:32 PM

A real beauty! I like this very much and would suggest experimenting with darkening the perch a bit, especially the lower part. Your details are gorgeous! Wish it were mine! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Lindy Martin on January 24, 2011 at 6:37 PM

Great image- nice to see on NOT on a wire. I don't think you needed the tc

Registered on March 10, 2009, 60 Posts, 169 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on January 24, 2011 at 7:12 PM

Killer image Ron- no wonder you leave the TC in the bag when you travel!

Registered on August 12, 2009, 544 Posts, 2414 Comments

Comment posted by Bryan Hix on January 24, 2011 at 7:30 PM

It did turn out well Ron! I would love to have a sharp Kestrel photo as this in my files. Nice job.

Registered on June 13, 2008, 117 Posts, 755 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on January 24, 2011 at 7:41 PM

Wildlife Photography somewhere new is always a challenge because of the complete lack of familiarity with everything from species behavior to lighting conditions. With "guides" like you had - you certainly had a leg up!

The monotone background is really nice and lets the beauty of this bird shine. I personally like the blood on the beak from a biological standpoint and detail is really nice considering it's only 30% of the FF.

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on January 24, 2011 at 8:10 PM

Excellent shot Ron, even at 30% it looks very nice.
I know what you mean, traveling does take one out of their comfort zone.
Great work!

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on January 24, 2011 at 9:05 PM

Yes, a ton of credit goes to Ron and Mia for showing me the ropes. Could not have made any of the images I did without them. For those of you who do not know them except here on NPN, they are truly quality people and very good friends. Thanks so much Ron and Mia! Credit where credit is do for sure.

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

Comment posted by Richard Teller on January 24, 2011 at 9:59 PM

Just a great image.

Registered on August 23, 2010, 1162 Posts, 6692 Comments

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on January 24, 2011 at 10:08 PM

Hi Ron.. just viewed the larger image, and found it marvelous. the detail. B.G. color and light are all spectacular

Albert Darmo. Canada

Registered on November 25, 2008, 1386 Posts, 11978 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on January 24, 2011 at 10:35 PM

Wow, I'll say it turned out well, Ron! Wonderful colors and detail. Very fine pose.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Rohn B. McKee on January 24, 2011 at 10:48 PM

Very Nice Ron

Registered on November 18, 2008, 109 Posts, 415 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on January 25, 2011 at 12:45 AM

Very good detail for 30% of full frame and iso of 800, the kestrel's have such a nice color scheme to them and the larger version shows this very well, wonderful shot.

Registered on September 17, 2009, 302 Posts, 5535 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Canuel on January 25, 2011 at 1:26 AM

A nice simple image. Detail looks good, seems he may have recently finished a meal. The clear sky BG compliments him well.

Registered on September 12, 2010, 53 Posts, 660 Comments

Comment posted by Simon Bennett on January 25, 2011 at 1:52 AM

A first class study.

Registered on February 4, 2007, 350 Posts, 4614 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on January 25, 2011 at 5:39 AM

Lovely Ron - really like the simplicity of it

cheers
Rob

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on January 25, 2011 at 8:07 AM

great light and comp, Ron. sweet and simple. love that light in the eye. Too bad about the TC, but it looks great here.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on January 25, 2011 at 2:51 PM

Tc or no tc, it's a sweet kestrel shot Ron

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 25, 2011 at 4:19 PM

Looks great to me too

Very Nice Ron!!!

ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on January 25, 2011 at 6:06 PM

Great shot, Ron- beautiful colours, pose and details- well done, Fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on January 25, 2011 at 6:30 PM

It turned out exceedingly well!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 25, 2011 at 8:09 PM

Ron,

The is a beautiful male and its pose is very regal. Great natural colors, soft blue background, lovely details, sharpness and light. This is simple & appealing.

It was awesome to shoot with you! So glad you came out to Utah. It was a pleasure to be your "guide".

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

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on January 26, 2011 at 5:49 AM

This is just plain great with or w/o TC. If I got one like this by leaving the TC home I might just declare it jinxed and turn it into a paper weight!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Geoffrey Baker on January 27, 2011 at 4:04 PM

This is excellent, the colours are lovely