American Kestrel

Gallery: AvianPosted November 5, 20047,234 views31 comments

Finally got a decent kestrel in flight. It's taken a long time.
M2, 300, 1.4X. Thanks for looking.

Comments

31 comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on November 5, 2004 at 1:17 PM

Alright...how do you and Bob get so close to these guys? I could have a 6,000mm lens and still never get close enough for a shot like this!!

This is stunning, Jim.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Kipp on November 5, 2004 at 1:21 PM

Stunning ! Great photography, you and Bob Steele have shared the best of Am. Kestrels I have ever seen. Almost makes me think you guys tie down a live mouse on your lens. . . trully beautiful.
Rob Kipp

Registered on June 23, 2004, 11 Posts, 265 Comments

Comment posted by Kenneth Kijewski on November 5, 2004 at 1:27 PM

Registered on February 17, 2004, 166 Posts, 3390 Comments

Comment posted by Ofer Levy on November 5, 2004 at 1:30 PM

Hi Jim, very nice shot! Please share some more details - speed, aparture, iso, etc', thanks!

Registered on July 23, 2004, 172 Posts, 1513 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ennis on November 5, 2004 at 1:31 PM

One of those photos I just can't stop looking at! Very nice!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 118 Posts, 422 Comments

Comment posted by Lesley Mattuchio on November 5, 2004 at 1:31 PM

WOW...that's it...WOW !!!

Registered on July 14, 2004, 36 Posts, 322 Comments

Comment posted by Alan Woolnough on November 5, 2004 at 2:15 PM

BLIMEY

I'm speechless Jim

Alan

Registered on November 13, 2003, 3 Posts, 275 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zipp on November 5, 2004 at 2:21 PM

"Hi Jim, very nice shot! Please share some more details - speed, aparture, iso, etc', thanks! "

Sorry and thanks, 1/1600th, f8.0, ISO400.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 86 Posts, 940 Comments

Comment posted by Juza on November 5, 2004 at 2:22 PM

Wow!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 374 Posts, 10466 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on November 5, 2004 at 2:22 PM

Jim, this is a wonderful shot. And I especially like the turn of the bird's head. You well deserve to be proud of this one. Curious to know what support you use.

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

Comment posted by Bob Steele on November 5, 2004 at 3:28 PM

Man that's good.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 354 Posts, 13896 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Cloran on November 5, 2004 at 5:09 PM

About all I can say is wow

Registered on April 6, 2004, 119 Posts, 1989 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Wyman on November 5, 2004 at 5:28 PM

I think Jim's cloned out the tell tail (pun) radio control wire from the rear of this bird

I looked in the gallery to night and was struck by two ravens in a flight together. Guess what another Jim Zipp special.

Great work Jim.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 2 Posts, 6 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Royse on November 5, 2004 at 5:36 PM

Fantastic!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 218 Posts, 2427 Comments

Comment posted by Mike Reid on November 5, 2004 at 5:47 PM

However long you waited it was worth the wait. Stunning shot!!
Detail you captured here on a bird in flight and from the angle he must have been moving pretty fast as well.
The head position could not have been planned any better.
All together just amazing, you should be very proud of this one!!!

Registered on November 4, 2004, 95 Posts, 324 Comments

Comment posted by Randy Harrison on November 5, 2004 at 5:51 PM

Awesome shot against a beautiful sky.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 468 Posts, 3099 Comments

Comment posted by Duane Rosenkranz on November 5, 2004 at 6:17 PM

WOW, can't say anything that hasn't already been said.

Duane Rosenkranz

Registered on October 13, 2004, 280 Posts, 2661 Comments

Comment posted by Jim Zipp on November 5, 2004 at 7:03 PM

"Jim, this is a wonderful shot. And I especially like the turn of the bird's head. You well deserve to be proud of this one. Curious to know what support you use.
Bill Leggett"

Hey Bill, Hand held only. These guys are so fast in close that it is the only way that works for me.

"However long you waited it was worth the wait. Stunning shot!!"

About 25 years or so

Seriously, thanks for all the kind words! Raptors in flight are my passion and nothing gives me more pleasure than observing and photographing these guys. Thanks very much.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 86 Posts, 940 Comments

Comment posted by Brian E. Small on November 5, 2004 at 7:22 PM

Were you out shooting with Bob S. today or something

Fantastic shot Jim...............

Registered on November 1, 2003, 147 Posts, 933 Comments

Comment posted by Kent Staubus on November 5, 2004 at 7:48 PM

I don't normally comment on bird photos, but this one.....WOW!

Kent in SD

Registered on November 11, 2003, 121 Posts, 2098 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on November 5, 2004 at 9:57 PM

Incredible Photo!!! It goes to show that perseverance mixed with talent pays off. Congratulations.

Loved the ravens, also.

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by George Hall, Jr on November 6, 2004 at 9:44 AM

Oh man!...Jim, this is OUTSANDING!!

Registered on July 11, 2004, 283 Posts, 2395 Comments

Comment posted by Bob Fisher on November 6, 2004 at 10:21 AM

It was worth the wait!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 56 Posts, 54 Comments

Comment posted by Jasper Doest on November 6, 2004 at 10:44 AM

The waiting payed of Jim, excellent work. Really impressive. The composition you got here is truly amazing. Keep up the good work!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 371 Posts, 2101 Comments

Comment posted by Garth McElroy on November 6, 2004 at 10:49 AM

Guess I shouls have come down this fall!!!!

Awesome!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 248 Posts, 4406 Comments

Comment posted by Andy Harmer on November 6, 2004 at 3:57 PM

ditto

Registered on June 26, 2004, 8 Posts, 10 Comments

Comment posted by Arnold Berger on November 6, 2004 at 5:14 PM

Jim

This is truly unbelievable!!!
All the times I have seen Kestrels in Ohio, they always seem to fly in the opposite direction.

Well done

Arnie

Registered on November 1, 2003, 47 Posts, 272 Comments

Comment posted by Paul Fusco on November 6, 2004 at 8:16 PM

Jim -

Way to go, man!

- Paul

Registered on November 17, 2003, 283 Posts, 1163 Comments

Comment posted by Daniella T. on November 7, 2004 at 10:20 AM

oh my oh my! that's a wonderful photo! The way the head is leaning toward you is amazing. One of the best flight shot I have ever seen! simply amazing. I never managed to get anywhere near those.

I can bet it took a long time to get a shot like that, but wow...this is one in a lifetime photo!

I just visited your gallery again and just have to say that your owl photos in the snow and fir tree left me out of breath! and also speechless, wow!

Registered on January 9, 2004, 41 Posts, 512 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Ludwick on November 8, 2004 at 10:05 AM

Jim,

An incredible shot. I am sure it will become a best seller in your shop.

Congratulations on the Editor's Pick.

Bob Ludwick

Registered on November 8, 2003, 51 Posts, 407 Comments

Comment posted by Youssef Ismail on November 8, 2004 at 3:50 PM

Jim,

The only time I have ever seen a kestral in the position you have captured here is when I used to fly one when I practiced falconry for 6 years. Amzaing how you caught this male in a wing over as it most probably was going into a stoop. What a thrill it must have been to see this and photograph it. I know the thrill of seeing it in real life.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 474 Posts, 5555 Comments