Female American Kestrel

[James Salywoda]

American Kestrel
Southern, California

I went out looking for the Hawks that will winter here locally and the numbers are growing
this female Kestrel let me get close.:)

I cloned out a distracting branch

Nikon D300s AFS 600 F4 1.4 TC
1/1600 F8 ISO 800

Thanks For Looking
Jim

[Andrew Merwin]

James, I think this is a lovely image. I like the BG & the diagonal perch & its simplicity. It is sharp, well exposed, & both feet are visible. These guys are usually perched on a photographically inaccessible perch. This is at a very good level for an excellent perspective.
TFS

[denise ippolito]

James, Fantastic image. Sharp, perfectly exposed and a lovely BG as always! Good to see you posting :)

[Bryan Hix]

Beautiful colors and the BG is very nice.

[Jeff Dyck]

Beautiful shot James - I love the "soft colours" you've achieved and the perch is just great - definitely not the typical raptor perch.

If I could offer one small thing - I would consider adding some more black / contrast selectively to the eye - to me it has a slightly "cloudy" look. With the rest of the image in those aforementioned soft colours and I really think it would give some extra pop.

[Arthur Morris]

Looks like a beautiful painting, so simple, so elegant. Great to see you posting and commenting again. Your images have been missed. A bit darker on the pupil seems like a good plan.

[Manos Papadomanolakis]

I really like the bg's color the bird and the beutiful perch!

[Ian Anderson]

I agree with everyone's comments - you really nailed this image in every aspect. I particularly like the soft lighting and the detail in the feathers. It would be easy to overdo the contrast but I think it's right on, and I bet this will look excellent in print.

[Stu Bowie]

Great IQ James, and just love the light and softer colours. Comp wise, I would maybe move him back to the right a tad.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

James this is such and inspiring image! love everything about it. I wish I will have the chance to see this species some day. Congrats on a fine image.

[Gary Esman]

Keep coming back and looking at this, gorgeous shot! Love her against that blue sky.

[Jim Crosswell]

A real beauty James! I like the perch and details.