American Kestrel

Gallery: AvianPosted February 25, 2011294 views27 comments

I like this but I'm not sure how well it may work for others because of the lighting, DOF and some of the brighter background elements. I'd appreciate knowing your thoughts.

This male had taken refuge from howling winds on a very low perch at the base of a thick grove of trees where only occasional dappled light would reach him.

7D, 1/640, f/8, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, shot from pickup window on 2/1/11, cropped to 50% of original image, sharpened bird and part of perch, slightly reduced brightness in background, no other processing or adjustments, natural light, not set up or baited

Larger version provided

Comments/critique appreciated

*Edited to correct the date the image was taken.

Comments

27 comments

Comment posted by Darren Colello on February 25, 2011 at 5:35 PM

Well done Ron. I like this lighting, and I think especially for this species, it highlights the colours and patterns well. Great detail all around.

Registered on July 27, 2009, 175 Posts, 1100 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 25, 2011 at 5:53 PM

A wonderful, moody shot; I like the lighting very much. Excellent detail, razor-shop and a cool perch. Nicely balanced by the grass stems on the left. First rate stuff, Ron.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on February 25, 2011 at 6:14 PM

Ron: I like the lighting in this image. It seems to accentuate the colors and the textures in the kestrel. I think I'd like it even more if the beak was more apparent. The angle just kind of makes it blend in. The only other thing I think I'd do is tone down the twigs on the left edge of the frame. An unusual look at one of these guys, and it is a fine image.

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

Comment posted by Albert Darmo on February 25, 2011 at 6:16 PM

Hi Ron

I find this an extraordinary capture! Because of the natural play of light on the Kestrel . The perch and color are also marvelous

Albert Darmo. Canada

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

Comment posted by Harry Harris on February 25, 2011 at 6:18 PM

Ron, I really appreciated this image after I reviewed the larger version. I like the texture of the perch and the way it angles into the frame from the corner. It draws my attention to the Kestrel. The birds left eye really shows the fine detail you have captured.

Registered on August 2, 2010, 169 Posts, 741 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 25, 2011 at 6:50 PM

Wonderful shot, Ron. I don't consider that the aspects you mention detract from this image at all. The lighting seems so natural and the detail fits the lighting. My only nit is that the strong head turn reminds me of "The Exorcist" movie.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 25, 2011 at 7:04 PM

it works really well for me, Ron. I really like the pose, the details, the DOF for the bird, and the nice perch. I think the light on the bird works really well. I looked at this for a long time, and I am just not bothered by the bg/setting--possibly the horizontal branches are not ideal but they are muted, and I do like the grasses, I don't think they are so bright as to draw the eye, and they add some interesting context. All in all, I think the light, pose, and setting make this an interesting, compelling image and one that I'm having a hard time moving on from.

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

Comment posted by Mark Seaver on February 25, 2011 at 7:27 PM

I really like the lighting, pose, and composition. Those grasses on the left make it clear that he's perched near the ground. Excellent job.

Registered on January 23, 2011, 1103 Posts, 17270 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 25, 2011 at 7:41 PM

Ron,

I love the lighting in this image and the great pose of the kestrel, view of the back and the head turn. I think the dappled light works very well. Lovely details, sharpness and comp. A very different & unique view for a kestrel photo. Well done.

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

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on February 25, 2011 at 7:58 PM

Very nice lighting and super details. Congrats on getting close to one of these leery customers. I also really like the perch.

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

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on February 25, 2011 at 8:13 PM

I really like the lighting and texture you captured in this image! I guess the OOF branches in the lower-left are a bit distracting, but the bird commands your attention and holds it I think. I love this species! We see Merlins a little more, but I got to try my hand at a BIF photo this late-summer on a pair of Kestrels in Waterton Lakes National Park. I hope I get one to cooperate like this sometime for me! They are SO beautiful!

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by wade pettitt on February 25, 2011 at 8:17 PM

Ron, I love the colors and dappled light here.

Registered on May 6, 2009, 184 Posts, 471 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 25, 2011 at 8:53 PM

I find this a very strong image. Unique. Compelling light; excellent detail. I barely even notice the grass as my eye goes directly to the kestrel.

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

Comment posted by David Williams on February 25, 2011 at 9:03 PM

Very different, Ron, and I like it a lot. Wonderful mood captured here.

Registered on March 8, 2005, 315 Posts, 2291 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on February 25, 2011 at 10:01 PM

The sidelighting really shows off the direct eye contact. I like this one, Ron. Nice detail throughout the exposure.

Registered on October 18, 2006, 644 Posts, 4801 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on February 26, 2011 at 3:18 AM

Ron excellent image the colours are great as is the light.

Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 26, 2011 at 5:28 AM

Nice intimate shot Ron. I quite like the dappled light.

cheers
Rob

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

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 26, 2011 at 8:33 AM

Love the light in this shot Ron. Great head turn with catchlight too. What I like most about his shot is the natural look to it. Very good detail and sharpness on the bird and nice habitat. The only thing that attracks my attention is the "V" shaped grass on the very left edge of the frame, but the bird def gets my full attention, so just a minor thing really. Very well done as per usual.

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on February 26, 2011 at 9:46 AM

Love it, Ron! Before I got into bird photography, this was my preferred lighting; it would still be for mammals.

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

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 26, 2011 at 10:30 AM

I think the lighting is very dramatic and works well. The light has hit the all important head/eye just right IMO. I would have been tempted to remove the brightest elements far left, but that's me.
Very nice

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

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 26, 2011 at 12:10 PM

This works VERRY well for me Ron. I particularly like the rich coloration and deep shadows in the perch. Great low angle and intimate feel. The highlight in the left eye really breaths life into the image. The varied background adds to the image, love the sense of environment. Excellent!

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

Comment posted by Rohn B. McKee on February 26, 2011 at 12:38 PM

Wonderful Photograph. Very nice color, design and sharpness. I love it.

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

Comment posted by Jim Hackley on February 26, 2011 at 3:32 PM

I like that it is a pose you do not see posted very often. Maybe because most of the time the birds head is not turned all the way around. Good feather display and the colors are brought out by the side lighting to make this a unique view, well done.

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

Comment posted by Ken Archer on February 26, 2011 at 6:00 PM

Looks great to me as is....... Sweet photo Ron

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by John Blumenkamp on February 26, 2011 at 8:51 PM

I'm a fan of side light and natural habitat, so I'm really liking this one Ron. I think having the strongest values of light on the head and right wing of kestrel adds impact. If mine I might play with cropping to even more of a vertical format, cropping from the left and eliminating the left-most grasses which I think would make the kestrel pop even more.

Registered on February 26, 2011, 58 Posts, 313 Comments

Comment posted by Lindy Martin on February 27, 2011 at 8:41 PM

Another brilliant one Ron!

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

Comment posted by Christine Jackson on March 1, 2011 at 6:26 PM

Ron,

This shot is great! I especially like how the colors of the feathers are echoed in the background as well as in the perch. The soft side lighting is very nice as well.

Chrisie Jackson
Denver, Colorado

Registered on September 19, 2010, 20 Posts, 244 Comments