Nankeen Kestrel with mouse

[John Cooper]

Photographed from a hide atop a 20ft tower. Unlike most raptors the kestrel is very cooperative and completely ignored the photographic sessions. The nest was located on the cental slopes and plains of NSW Australia.
Canon EOS 3, Canon 100-300 F5.6L, 1/125 sec at F8. Natural light and one fill flash. Velvia 50 rated at iso 40 (Thats film:)). Tripod.

[Thonnaksar NOP]

This is a very fine and talking image : perfect balance between natural light and strobe light, horizontal angle of view, excellent timing for capturing the subject and his prey and we can guess who was waiting for the meal inside the tree.

[Axel Hildebrandt]

This is a very nice image, John. It's good to hear the kestrel was not disturbed by your presence. I'm always hesitant to photograph at nesting sites since some species would abandon the brood immediately.

Details, BG and exposure look very good and the snack adds to it.

[Robert Falls]

I am amazed, John, in the States the Kestrels are very "skiddish" and difficult to approach as a rule.

[Glenn Bartley]

"the kestrel is very cooperative"

Not where I live they arent ;)

Great job capturing this image. The prey item really takes this image to the next level.

[Nikolay Staykov - shotlandetsa]

Very good image - composition, timing and post process. I love the gentle treatment with the fill flash.