Nankeen Kestrel on the hunt

Taken yesterday afternoon atop the coastal cliffs here, managed a few shots before somebody and their dog sent it flying off.

No room to manouvre for a different angle without falling over the cliff edge so this is about good as I could get.....but at least it was a close range.

Canon 7D + 500 f4 + 1.4 x TC...700mm, f6.3, 1/4000, ISO500, no flash, manual exposure,shot taken with camera resting on a post....minimal editing, not cropped, selective sharpen and noise reduction, small amount of canvas added to create more space around bird

Magnificent image of down looking pose, would happy if his flight is to words you,but still very nice pose,looks little soft.
Love the wing position,fanned tail feathers, beautiful blue sky and composition.

Regards,
Satish.

Hi Phil, Great to see a BIF from you and a raptor to boot! Nice job getting this handsome hovering Kestrel in the frame. The head looks sharp to me. Only crit is that most of the body is shaded, you need to bring your rappelling gear next time:bg3: Well done.

Well done getting this shot with your camera resting on a fence post, sounds like a real "cliffhanger"!. I like the tail spread and the alula feathers on the forewing. Maybe a bit more sharpening? [but I can't talk!]

nice pose,head looks sharp,nice blue BG.

I'm Glad you didn't try for a better angle.:t3 Fine as is. Nice sky and super pose/wing position.

The shooting angle might not be the best, but I would take a shot like this any time, Phil.

Very nice Phil.
Head looks nice and sharp but body appears a bit soft to my eye. It may be the shadow that gives this impression.
I like the view from below POV. Well done and FF to boot!
Gail