Smackdown: Prairie Falcon vs. 7D + 800mm f/5.6

[Doug Brown]

I haven't had many encounters with Prairie Falcons, so I really enjoyed this series of fly-bys at the Bosque a couple of weeks ago. I'll call this smackdown a tie; great bird and great camera/lens combo.

http://birdwhisperer.smugmug.com/Animals/Birds/BPN/20091114-MG9605-Prairie-Falcon/725808777_zDkVj-O-5.jpg

Canon 7D, 800mm, f/6.3, 1/2000, ISO 640, +1 EC, hand held

[Axel Hildebrandt]

The low angle of the bird, the soft light and BG make this one for me. In an ideal world the near wing were a bit higher up. I'd love to see this species sometime.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

It is nice to hear good things about the 7D. It seems at competent hands, the camera delivers. I like this image. The light is nice. Nice eye contact. Thanks for sharing.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Danny J Brown]

This is a real beauty. Man, this species has very soft, muted color. You really nailed the left wing as shown by the beautiful details and the bird overall is just right, sharpness-wise. I like the bokeh as well.

[Jim Fenton]

Lovely subject Doug and one which I haven't seen in person, so thanks for sharing it :)

Sharpness looks perfect as does exposure.

It looks as though the horizons (or horizontal image aspects) could use some CW rotation?

[Arthur Morris]

It is nice to hear good things about the 7D. It seems at competent hands, the camera delivers. I like this image. The light is nice. Nice eye contact. Thanks for sharing. Cheers, Sabyasachi

Despite the opinions of the hundreds of brilliant internet-only photographers, I have not run across any cameras that do not deliver good images when they are used by competent photographers....

[Arthur Morris]

I saw this bird from a distance but no fly-bys at all. This one looks very sharp. As are your handholding skills. I would go a bit darker with the mid-tones.

[Tony Whitehead]

Lovely plumage details and flight angle. BG work well.

[Harshad Barve]

One teriffic image for sure , nice details , HA and wing pose ,
TFS

[Doug Brown]

I think you're probably right about the rotation Jim.

[James Salywoda]

Sweet bird and shot Doug.

[Dan Brown]

Great shot Doug! Once again, over and over, I am envious! I haven't had a op at this species! I do agree with the rotation, but I like it just fine as posted! Sharp, eye contact, Great! Way to go!

[arash_hazeghi]

Great shot Doug, love the details and nice BG too. Is this the natural plumage color? looks a bit muted, especially the area around the nasal opening is usually yellow(?)

[Jim Crosswell]

Great flight capture!