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American Kestrel & Repost
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American Kestrel & Repost

by Jim Hansen

Gallery: AvianPosted January 20, 20171,100 views11 comments
Taken on a very foggy and windy 32 degree morning in Sacramento Valley, hence the high key presentation.  I had been trying to get one of these for many years without success.  They seem typically quite skittish and are usually seen on power lines.  This male was very cooperative, allowing a number of images from a couple of different angles.  Cloned out some distracting branches in the background.  D500, 150-600 @ 600, f8, 1/160, ISO 500, HH.  C & C always appreciated.

Comments

11 comments
Comment posted by Jerry Austin on January 20, 2017 at 11:37 PM
The colors are really vibrant. Has a painterly feel. Very nice.
Registered on January 6, 2012, 651 Posts, 3448 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Watkins on January 21, 2017 at 1:20 AM
Jin,
The colours seem a little rich but as I have never seen one of these I could be totally wrong?
Wonderful pose, detail and sharpnessdevil
 
Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments
Comment posted by Hans Overduin on January 21, 2017 at 4:42 AM
Love the sort of high-key setting. The colors seem a tat oversaturated, but then again it enhances the impact of the image - so thumbs up for this one ! Cheers, Hans
 
Registered on August 31, 2011, 491 Posts, 3807 Comments
Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 21, 2017 at 9:23 AM
Nice backside pose for this guy. Colors look over saturated 
Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Hansen on January 21, 2017 at 11:24 AM
Guess I overdid the saturation slider.  Here is a less saturated version.  Thanks for the comments.
Registered on May 5, 2011, 161 Posts, 908 Comments
Comment posted by Keith Bauer on January 21, 2017 at 2:04 PM
Ahh, the repost looks much more natural.  
Registered on November 20, 2003, 458 Posts, 4836 Comments
Comment posted by Ed Williams on January 21, 2017 at 3:33 PM
Personal tastes vary Jim. I love the look and the clear view of this amazing hawk. I do prefer the repost on this one a bit.
Registered on December 28, 2010, 636 Posts, 3499 Comments
Comment posted by Dennis Plank on January 21, 2017 at 5:35 PM
Foggy and windy-an interesting combination.  Glad you finally got one to cooperate with you-I know how long I waited and I'm still not super satisfied with the results I got.  Exposure looks spot on and the plumage detail is excellent.  To my eye , it looks like the bird might be a bit oversaturated.  I like the pose you chose to post.

devil
Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments
Comment posted by Jim Zablotny on January 21, 2017 at 6:47 PM
Jim--Repost is awesome.  I like the high key presentation and this one is one of my favorites that you have posted.devil.....................Jim
Registered on January 17, 2004, 705 Posts, 3594 Comments
Comment posted by David Schoen on January 21, 2017 at 7:12 PM
Repost is definitely better.  It looks like you got a nice cooperative Kestrel on a cold day.  Good job with the level of detail.
Registered on November 6, 2006, 1213 Posts, 4587 Comments
Comment posted by Ken Archer on January 22, 2017 at 4:38 AM
I like the re-post better too! Wonderful details you have here in this sweet portrait.

Sweet One Jim laugh
Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments