Kestrel with Mouse

Gallery: AvianPosted February 8, 20136,638 views21 comments

Some weeks ago in the last daylight I made this shot at ISO 4500 (!!). Since there was snow on the ground, and the skies were getting darker with coming snowfall the light got sort of surreal. To get the right exposure I overexposed 2/3EV and to keep my shutter speed I set the ISO on 'auto' mode. Hope you like the result.
Thanks for looking, cheers, Hans

Nikon D4 + 500mm & 1,4TC @ 700mm | 1/1250s | f5.6 | ISO 4500 | +2/3EV | handheld

Comments

21 comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 8, 2013 at 9:42 AM

This is terrific Hans, love the dangling mouse, sharp details and composition with the bush below.

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

Comment posted by Edward Scott on February 8, 2013 at 10:26 AM

Nice one Hans. Really like your composition on this one!

Registered on February 8, 2012, 22 Posts, 70 Comments

Comment posted by James Allen on February 8, 2013 at 11:05 AM

Great job on the higher ISO and framing your composition. The talons look just a little oversaturated on my monitor, but that could've been the light too. I like how the vegetation gives the bird something to look/fly over/across

Registered on December 10, 2012, 14 Posts, 232 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Marsh on February 8, 2013 at 12:36 PM

Very nice image Hans. I like the soft lighting, detail,comp, and sharpness. The large version looks like he is ready to fly out of my monitor. Also, it looks like there is minimal noise if any at ISO 4500. Good job!

Registered on December 29, 2012, 21 Posts, 225 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on February 8, 2013 at 12:38 PM

Exceptional image - love the soft, subtle colours, the wing extension, and the prey in perfect profile.
The lower bush adds balance - overall, a beautiful image!

Sandy

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

Comment posted by Allen Brooks on February 8, 2013 at 12:46 PM

What a fantastic capture; talk about being at the right place at the right time.

Excellent detail and I like how the bush gives some environmental context to the shot. I might consider cloning out the white spots (snowflakes?).

Registered on July 27, 2011, 262 Posts, 2597 Comments

Comment posted by Jeff Lewis on February 8, 2013 at 2:40 PM

Wow, absolutely amazing.

Registered on January 29, 2013, 9 Posts, 89 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on February 8, 2013 at 3:25 PM

what a beauty, Hans. you had some great moments with these kestrels. It's really amazing how well that D4 handles low light. pose, prey, and composition are all just fantastic.

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

Comment posted by Hans Overduin on February 8, 2013 at 4:14 PM

Thanks all for looking and reacting.
@Alan: it is snow indeed, however falling from the prey I assume, since it only started snowing some 15 minutes later if I remember correctly..... I decided to leave it, since for me it belongs the the total atmosphere that day, but then I left walking through the falling snow

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

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on February 8, 2013 at 4:36 PM

The D4 laughs at ISO 4500! I have been stalking one of these for the last week, but I can't get more than a departure shot the other way.

A lovely flight/prey shot of a beautiful raptor! The vegetation makes a nice anchor, adding realism to the image.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Pullen on February 8, 2013 at 6:20 PM

Just perfect, really like the wing position and angle of the wings.

Ron

Registered on December 18, 2005, 74 Posts, 1413 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on February 8, 2013 at 6:37 PM

Very nice, Hans. Love the prey and the wingspread with the bird coming at us like that. Well done.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on February 9, 2013 at 6:22 AM

Smaller shot doesn't do this justice - wonderful Hans

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

Comment posted by Daniel & Loana on February 9, 2013 at 11:15 AM

Wonderful shot, Hans. Perfect details, great moment and composition.

Congrats

D&L

Registered on October 7, 2008, 166 Posts, 3044 Comments

Comment posted by Jefferson Silva on February 9, 2013 at 11:23 AM

Very beautiful shot. The bird pose is pretty nice. Thakns for sharing.

Registered on December 18, 2012, 162 Posts, 975 Comments

Comment posted by Sandra Hendrikse on February 9, 2013 at 11:51 AM

Wow, what a great shot.

Registered on January 23, 2008, 48 Posts, 769 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on February 9, 2013 at 1:05 PM

Gutsy good👏👍💪

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Charles Gangas on February 9, 2013 at 4:41 PM

Outstanding Hans. A beautiful capture of this magnificent bird. You're willingness to push what we usually think exceeds the limits has led to a remarkable image, congrats.

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

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on February 9, 2013 at 6:15 PM

Hans,
This is a stunning shot. Love the detail, the intent look on his face and the color. Your technicals were terrific.

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

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on February 9, 2013 at 10:18 PM

Hans...first, I am jealous. I swear I can''t get within a hundred yards of a Kestrel. You managed this WITH dinner? Very nice! Love the soft light and pastel type feel the small amount of light you had gives this. Really a spectacular shot. I do keep going back and forth feeling it could use a tiny bit more contrast....but not sure if that would change the feel of this too much. If it does, I wouldn't touch it.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on February 19, 2013 at 12:07 PM

Yes, the image to die for

Congrats Hans, you da man

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