Falcon Speedster

[Adhika Lie]

I am still working on my backlogs on the peregrine. Must say I had a good time this year. This female peregrine falcon just took off from her perch after maybe spotting a savory food item. :bg3:

Nikon D500 and Sigma 500 f/4 lens at f/5.6, 1/3200, ISO 2500. I must admit the ISO is higher than what I would like. Processed in LR and then one pass of noise reduction using Nik Dfine2.


https://ssl.c.photoshelter.com/img-get/I00008O30Wc_l7fw/s/1000/I00008O30Wc_l7fw.jpg

[Ashkan Ojaghi]

Great looking Peregrine falcon! Like the background color and very good composition. Its really interesting to see the sigma 500 f/4 producing tack sharp pictures from such a high speed flying bird.
Cheers

[Mike Hitchen]

I can see no problem arising from the ISO :S3: The angle of the bird in the frame could not be better and the feather detail is exemplary.
Is the white streak above the eye part of its plumage?

[gail bisson]

Very nice top view of the falcon and I love the blue color of the BG.
I find the falcon a bit washed out and I would be tempted to boost the blacks in the neutrals in Selective color in PS or go to levels and make the black point stronger.
Tack sharp and good IQ.
Gail
PS. What is the white line above the eye?

[Mike Poole]

Great view of the speed merchant. As mentioned, maybe a little thin, so a bit more in the blacks might help. ISO isn't really to be feared anymore (within certain reason of course!) especially when dealing with lighter tones and ETTR.

Got to be happy with this one

Mike

p.s. for some reason the thumbnail isn't showing for me

[Alex Becker]

Nice topside view. I also agree with a bit more black in the shot. Love the pose, especially the back feathers. Details and such all look nice -- ISO 2500 on the D500 is usually pretty good in my experience. Composition is good. TFS

[Adhika Lie]

Thanks for the inputs, everyone. I agree on the black points. Will work on that.

Yeah I think the D500 is definitely more than capable of handling the higher ISO but having shot (and am still shooting) with the D750, I can tell the difference at 100%. But the speed on the D500 is a killer.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Great topside view while looking down at it. Interesting to see a couple of new flight feathers still not bleached by the sun. I would definitely remove that stray white line above the eye.

[Adhika Lie]

Thanks, Dan! Looking at the other photos of the female from this day, all have the white line at that position. It might have been something from the prey that got stuck there. Will definitely remove it :D