Kestrals mating

Gallery: AvianPosted February 7, 2012645 views15 comments

D300s
600mm + 1/4 TC
F/9
ISO 250
1/1250
Aperture Priority
Exposure compensation -1 1/3
Metering mode Pattern
White Balance Sunny
Distance 31.6 meters
RAW
Wimberly head on tripod

Cropped in from the sides and slightly from the top making this a portrait instead of a landscape image. These kestrels have been mating for about two weeks now although I just found out about it two days ago from a friend. The perch is a dead cactus bloom from a year ago or so. There are 6 of these huge stalks about 20 feet high coming from 6 different plants. They are relatively close together and the kestrels have their favorite stalk but bounce from plant to plant to mate. It's interesting to note that the male has never brought back anything for the female and she is the one that defends the nest. She will leave the perch for an hour or so at at time come back and mate and leave again.
The male is extremely orange around the eyes, beak and feet. So much so that I actually de-saturated the reds 17 and yellows 20. The female has a more normal looking yellow color to her. I don't like the fact that the branch is going through the wing of the male but I really like the wing position. Thanks for having a look see. Larger version provided.

Comments

15 comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on February 7, 2012 at 12:40 AM

Oops. I forgot to lighten this image before posting. Sorry. Let me know if you think this is a better version. Thanks.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on February 7, 2012 at 1:56 AM

I like the second version better technically. This photo rocks David, an excellent behavior reproduction action capture. I'm glad you caught the catch light in the female, but the raised wings of the male does it for me

Bummer about the branch on the right side though, it's a little distracting.

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on February 7, 2012 at 7:43 AM

Nice detail- especially at 30+ meters, and an excellent behavioral image. I like the lightened image of the birds in the repost David, but I prefer the sky in the first. Great job!

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

Comment posted by Keith Bauer on February 7, 2012 at 10:08 AM

David: Wonderful capture. The pose is fantastic with the wings up. It is a shame about the branch on the right, but that's the way it works sometimes. I like the lighter version of the birds, but like the darker blue sky. I might think about a slightly looser crop. Feels just a bit tight for my taste. Excellent image

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

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 7, 2012 at 12:08 PM

Great catch - I can't even FIND kestrels, and you have a pair mating...argh..
Geat wing position here.
I'd get rid of the branch on the right and carefully fix the wing where the branch overlaps.
Some of the darker branches below could go too, to clean up a bit.
Then, a little CW rotation would help.
Excellent!
Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on February 7, 2012 at 6:16 PM

David,
I like the darker version better. I cannot say anything that those before me have not already said. I love the image, love the action and think the shot is terrific.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by Harry Harris on February 7, 2012 at 6:41 PM

Love it David, Great behavior image and your usual great techs. Thanks for the update.

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

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 7, 2012 at 8:49 PM

I go along with the others re: light birds/dark sky, David. what a fantastic action shot. The light in the female's eye and the male's raised wings are both excelllent, and I also like seeing the male's feet. the branch is a nit, but not a big one for me.

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

Comment posted by Ralph Kerr on February 7, 2012 at 10:43 PM

I like the 1st one better, because there is still feather definition on the inside of the shoulder edges of the wing. On my monitor those near edges look too light on the lighter one. That's an IMO. Nothing I could add to the other technical comments

Registered on January 30, 2007, 369 Posts, 852 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on February 8, 2012 at 11:00 AM

A great opportunity - haven't seen mating kestrels posted before. The brighter version is better. I'd be interested in seeing the un-cropped version as this feels too tight on the right.

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on February 8, 2012 at 12:21 PM

Hi David, wonderful capture - I am slight jealous ! I like the darker one better, but that's personal ! Thanks for sharing , Cheers, Hans

Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on February 8, 2012 at 10:09 PM

Amazing capture of these kestrels and interesting narrative regarding the behavior. "Mating for two weeks". No wonder they look tired.

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

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on February 11, 2012 at 8:13 PM

Wonderful catch! I've seen hawks mating many times but never have managed to get a shot as good as this. The action always seems very brief. Great work.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by May Haga on February 21, 2012 at 9:14 AM

Excellent timing. You made the most of a rare opportunity.
May

Registered on February 22, 2007, 714 Posts, 8470 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on April 17, 2014 at 12:50 PM

Just looking through your gallery, some outstanding action David.
Love this one, wish it was mine!

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