Hunting Lanner Falcon

[Chris van Rooyen]

I captured this guy at a waterhole in the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. He was hunting small birds drinking at the waterhole, making repeated strikes throughout the morning. It was very difficult to follow him because of the speed he was flying at, so I opted for an extremely high shutter speed for optimum sharpness. I used AF 3D-tracking most of the time, alternating with Dynamic area AF 9 points. I like the way in which the colour of the oryxes' coats in the background is mirrored on the breast feathers of the falcon. About 60% crop.

Camera Model: NIKON D5
Date/Time: 2017:08:13 09:07:26
Shutter speed: 1/6400 sec
Aperture: 7.1
Exposure mode: Manual
Exposure compensation: +1/3
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 1800
Lens: 500.0 mm f/4.0
Focal length: 500mm

[John Mack]

I like it. Nice view of the bird and the background is pretty interesting not your usaul frame you see on here.

[Arthur Morris]

Now that is pretty wicked! I'd love to see the whole leg of the oryx on our right -- I suspect that that is not a possibility.

with love, artie

[Isaac Grant]

This has to be the coolest background I have ever seen posted on this site! Killer Chris. Not the best light, some shadows on the bird but SO WHAT! Killer frame with great impact.

[arash_hazeghi]

Talk about a challenging subject for the AF! Amazing shot Chris, tough to grab focus on a subject like this against that kind of BG... I usually use Grp AF with my D5 and D850.

TFS

[dankearl]

Are you kidding me?
Amazing talent to just get the shot.
And the comp is just superb also...
A contest winner....

[Dorian Anderson]

This is a fantastic shot. I usually HATE distracting BG elements but the animals here set thee scene PERFECTLY. They make this is one of the most unique shots I've seen. Bravo!

[Chris van Rooyen]

Thanks everyone for viewing and comments! Indeed a very challenging AF situation. I learnt through trial and error that the only way to keep the focus is to grab the bird while it is against the blue sky, before its dips below the horizon. Once you have it, the D5 does amazingly well to keep the focus. However, finding focus once the bird is below the horizon it is just about impossible to pick it up. The light is indeed not the best, one of the challenges when shooting in a desert environment is how quickly the light gets harsh.

[Chris van Rooyen]

Now that is pretty wicked! I'd love to see the whole leg of the oryx on our right -- I suspect that that is not a possibility.

with love, artie

I have to agree that having the full leg would have made it better

[gail bisson]

The falcon looks great and I do not mind the harsher light.
I so, so wish that the leg of the oryx was not intersecting with the falcon's face. I find it distracts.
Stiil a technically impressive image!
Gail

[Mike Poole]

Just superb Chris, and whilst I agree with the comments above, I think its important to retain some perspective and remember they are very minor nits picked up by some pretty demanding photographers!

Great technique and a fine result

Mike

[Gabriela Plesea]

I like it too, Chris, very much - if I may ask, where was this taken? Would like to think it was Polentswa... But it might as well be north of Nossob or even Two Rivers waterhole. Or Kij Kij:w3

A familiar scene and I am truly delighted with this frame, well taken! The speed those Lanner Falcons reach is just amazing, one can hear them "cut" the air. Possibly the fastest avian species in the world, it is said they reach about 400km/hr.

Super techs and lovely detail on the bird, nice composition. No nits from me, I know how tough it is to capture this species in flight - congratulations!

Kind regards,

[Chris van Rooyen]

I like it too, Chris, very much - if I may ask, where was this taken? Would like to think it was Polentswa... But it might as well be north of Nossob or even Two Rivers waterhole. Or Kij Kij:w3

A familiar scene and I am truly delighted with this frame, well taken! The speed those Lanner Falcons reach is just amazing, one can hear them "cut" the air. Possibly the fastest avian species in the world, it is said they reach about 400km/hr.

Super techs and lovely detail on the bird, nice composition. No nits from me, I know how tough it is to capture this species in flight - congratulations!

Kind regards,

Thanks for the comments Gabriela! This was taken at Leeuwdril, just north of Twee Rivieren.

[Gabriela Plesea]

Thanks for the comments Gabriela! This was taken at Leeuwdril, just north of Twee Rivieren.

Awesome, thank you! I will be there soon, Chris - cannot wait:5