Rock Kestrel

Got lucky and got to spend nearly half an hour with this beautiful kestrel in the Damaraland in Namibia

1Ds
600mm
1/1000s
f4
ISO 400
80% crop

Sweet bird and light. I would take a bit off the bottom and wish that the bird land on a smaller perch next time. Killer BKGR. A bit more head turn would have been ideal for this pose.

Stunning bird! Agree with Artie that the perch is a bit overwhelming, but you're a better man than me if you can direct where he/she lands without baiting. :) The BG is indeed fantastic. Nice one!

Very cool raptor. Odd perch, but the BG is sweet. I would clone out that little white dot just to the right of the bird's wing.

You did what you could with the elements handed you. The background and sweet light were a gift, but the big perch and the less than ideal position of the head were not. You cropped your shot effectively and ended up with a pleasing image.

Great light and eye contact Well captured

thanks guys. Unfortunately I didn't have the choice of perch. I also have a coupe of flying shots that I will try to post later. Unfortunately, the best wing flare ones were clipped as they move so bloody fast :p