American Kestrel

Gallery: AvianPosted January 14, 20082,291 views31 comments

Taken this morning. It's been gloomy and cloudy all week but we finally got some sun today so I just had to "get out there". This guy had wet and bloody lower breast feathers so he was a bit disheveled and he was actually slightly below me - first time I can recall looking down on a perched kestrel. Usually they're high overhead. It was very cold (12 degrees F.) as you can see from the frost on the perch. Background is mostly snow.

40D, 1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 400, 500mm f/4, 1.4 tc, beanbag, full frame except for a bit off top and bottom for comp

Comments/critique appreciated

Comments

31 comments

Comment posted by raymond j barlow on January 14, 2008 at 7:42 PM

Awesome Ron, beautiful shot.

Registered on March 29, 2007, 218 Posts, 964 Comments

Comment posted by Gaurav Manglik on January 14, 2008 at 7:49 PM

perfect ....

Registered on December 2, 2005, 191 Posts, 2126 Comments

Comment posted by Lon Sharp on January 14, 2008 at 8:13 PM

This is a "wow." Techs look perfect.

Registered on December 9, 2007, 258 Posts, 9892 Comments

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on January 14, 2008 at 8:35 PM

Ron,

My new paradigm instance for a Kestrel shot. Don't see how one could be better. Beautiful work.

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Whum on January 14, 2008 at 9:34 PM

Lovely shot. Like the sharpness, detail and even lighting.

Registered on June 6, 2007, 131 Posts, 696 Comments

Comment posted by Satie Sharma on January 15, 2008 at 12:33 AM

Beautiful image, Ron!

Registered on November 11, 2003, 189 Posts, 5335 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on January 15, 2008 at 2:31 AM

Hi Ron, This is the best so far. I like the snowy perch.

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

Comment posted by Giorgio Gregori on January 15, 2008 at 3:37 AM

Hi Ron,
gorgeous portrait. Very nice detail.
The frost on the perch is a plusvalue.
Giorgio.

Registered on November 16, 2007, 87 Posts, 793 Comments

Comment posted by John Chapman on January 15, 2008 at 5:54 AM

HI Ron this is a great shot and the Snow in the BG. just makes the bird stand out.

Registered on June 19, 2004, 100 Posts, 1473 Comments

Comment posted by Ganesh H Shankar on January 15, 2008 at 10:06 AM

Love the contrasting colors Ron ! Nice portrait

Registered on March 1, 2004, 324 Posts, 1867 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Scholl on January 15, 2008 at 2:27 PM

Great shot Ron.

Registered on December 7, 2003, 43 Posts, 132 Comments

Comment posted by Avi Hirschfield on January 15, 2008 at 4:40 PM

This is a winner

Registered on November 1, 2003, 518 Posts, 2114 Comments

Comment posted by Mack Barham on January 15, 2008 at 7:43 PM

Great shot!

Registered on August 12, 2005, 537 Posts, 1107 Comments

Comment posted by Danny Shelton on January 15, 2008 at 9:34 PM

Nice one, Ron.

Registered on October 2, 2007, 14 Posts, 1029 Comments

Comment posted by Doug Backlund on January 15, 2008 at 10:38 PM

I think you have reached the pinnacle!

Registered on September 29, 2005, 252 Posts, 3380 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 16, 2008 at 7:52 AM

Ron,

The pose, the perch, the techs, the detail and the colors are spectacular on this shot. The background perfectly compliments the subject.

Excellent capture!

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

Comment posted by Ray Sanchez on January 16, 2008 at 10:02 AM

Awesome shot. Ron. Never been able to get too close to these. Nice colors, detail, pose.

Registered on March 22, 2006, 46 Posts, 594 Comments

Comment posted by Jose Suro on January 16, 2008 at 10:04 AM

Beautiful Ron. I like the snow on the perch. Great pose

Best,

Jose

Registered on June 24, 2006, 267 Posts, 2273 Comments

Comment posted by David Williams on January 16, 2008 at 3:28 PM

You've had some good ones before, Ron, but this is easily the best for me. I love it when the ice crystals form on all the vegetation.......makes for some interesting shots.

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

Comment posted by Lee Daniels on January 17, 2008 at 9:45 AM

A beautiful classic with exquisite detail and tones!

Registered on December 31, 2003, 115 Posts, 1657 Comments

Comment posted by Pierre Nadeau on January 17, 2008 at 8:10 PM

Awesome detail
Fantastic shot

Registered on December 28, 2007, 12 Posts, 83 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on January 17, 2008 at 9:55 PM

Congrats on a gorgeous image Ron, your best kestrel yet which is saying something.

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

Comment posted by Pat Sampson on January 21, 2008 at 8:25 PM

It's a great image Ron. Congratulations on this week's pick. Well deserved.

Pat

Registered on May 19, 2007, 953 Posts, 15989 Comments

Comment posted by Charlie VanTassel on January 21, 2008 at 8:46 PM

I told you....

Congratulations on the EP!

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

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on January 21, 2008 at 10:14 PM

Congrats on the EP Ron!!

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

Comment posted by Gaurav Manglik on January 21, 2008 at 10:58 PM

congrats Ron ...

This had EP written all over it the moment you posted it.

Registered on December 2, 2005, 191 Posts, 2126 Comments

Comment posted by David Cobb on January 22, 2008 at 1:14 AM

Congrats on the EP Ron, there were so many strong Avian images this week. I must say this is an absolutely beautiful shot. Great comp and color!

David M. Cobb

Registered on December 14, 2007, 312 Posts, 3243 Comments

Comment posted by Keith A Anderson on January 22, 2008 at 9:21 AM

Wow! Congrats on the EP. I don't know how I missed seeing this when you posted it but I"m sure glad I got to see it now.

Registered on February 13, 2006, 166 Posts, 1818 Comments

Comment posted by Barry R. Byrd on January 22, 2008 at 11:30 PM

outstanding capture Ron, love the glow of the feathers

Registered on December 20, 2005, 136 Posts, 970 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on January 27, 2008 at 12:11 PM

Sweet Ron!! Don't know how you guys can ever get so close to these guys...this is awesome.

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on January 29, 2008 at 3:14 PM

I have been away in Thailand and am only seeing this now. Congrats on the well deserved EP. I wish I can get one half as good this year.

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