Merlin

[Ian Roy]

Canon 5dmk3 , Canon 400mm f5.6, 1/6400 sec; f/7.1; ISO 800

Hi Folks
The weather took a turn for the better and the sun came out, so I took time out to visit the Hawk Conservancy yesterday to practice shooting Birds in Flight. This is Raptor heaven where Eagles/Hawks /Vultures and Owls are often flown. This little Merlin was a challenge to track and where the 400mm f5.6 came in to its own. Ideally I would have liked the tail vertical for more balance.
cheers
Ian

[Tim Kuhn]

I really like the rollover attitude of this one, what a great moment you captured!

Tim

[Jonathan Ashton]

Very well done, this is one difficult and very fast bird to capture. You have good DOF and colours along with fine detail.

[PhilCook]

Very unusual behavior shot, I like it. I find it maybe a little too central in the frame, hope you don't mind but I wonder if a crop something like below may improve a little

[Marina Scarr]

That is one KILLER flight pose. That catch light really adds a lot to the frame. Love the rudder position. I think the OP is working best for me but would like to hear what others have to say. It's such a powerful pose, that I feel it works well in the center.

[Ian Roy]

Tnx for the replies.

I can see where you are going with the new crop Phil, letting the bird fly into the space on the right, I feel if his head had been looking in to the space more then I would agree with you...

[Ian Roy]

Because of his wing angles i was trying to get the subject to divide the frame on the diagonal although it fell short a bit...
Cheers
Ian

[Raymond Lee]

I also prefer the original crop better! If the belly turns more toward the camera, then I would consider putting the bird more toward the left and higher.