Merlin

Canon 5dmk3 , Canon 400mm f5.6, 1/6400 sec; f/7.1; ISO 800

Hi Folks
The weather took a turn for the better and the sun came out, so I took time out to visit the Hawk Conservancy yesterday to practice shooting Birds in Flight. This is Raptor heaven where Eagles/Hawks /Vultures and Owls are often flown. This little Merlin was a challenge to track and where the 400mm f5.6 came in to its own. Ideally I would have liked the tail vertical for more balance.
cheers
Ian

I really like the rollover attitude of this one, what a great moment you captured!

Tim

Very well done, this is one difficult and very fast bird to capture. You have good DOF and colours along with fine detail.

Very unusual behavior shot, I like it. I find it maybe a little too central in the frame, hope you don't mind but I wonder if a crop something like below may improve a little

That is one KILLER flight pose. That catch light really adds a lot to the frame. Love the rudder position. I think the OP is working best for me but would like to hear what others have to say. It's such a powerful pose, that I feel it works well in the center.

Tnx for the replies.

I can see where you are going with the new crop Phil, letting the bird fly into the space on the right, I feel if his head had been looking in to the space more then I would agree with you...

Because of his wing angles i was trying to get the subject to divide the frame on the diagonal although it fell short a bit...
Cheers
Ian

I also prefer the original crop better! If the belly turns more toward the camera, then I would consider putting the bird more toward the left and higher.