Kestrel Spreads Its Wings

[Loi Nguyen]

I had the fortune of having a local resident Kestrel at a community garden. He is very cooperative, but he is incredibly fast. Taking pictures of him in flight has proven difficult, but today he helped me out by hovering in one place looking for prey. The sun was at the wrong place, so I quickly took a few steps to the side to position myself better. Not a perfect angle, but at least I was shooting into the sun. Someday I will get it right eventually. Appreciate your comments,

1DX
500f4 II + 1.4X III
1/1600
f5.6
ISO 500
Handheld
Manual mode

Thank you

Loi

[David Salem]

You've got a very nice hovering pose there. Looks sharp also. The only issue is the position of the Sun relative to your bird. Im sure if it was a misprint when you said you are shooting into the sun, but definitely make sure the sun is at your back.
If he is cooperative keep getting out there, I'm sure you'll get a great shot soon.
Well done.

[Loi Nguyen]

You've got a very nice hovering pose there. Looks sharp also. The only issue is the position of the Sun relative to your bird. Im sure if it was a misprint when you said you are shooting into the sun, but definitely make sure the sun is at your back.
If he is cooperative keep getting out there, I'm sure you'll get a great shot soon.
Well done.

yes, it was a mistake. I meant to say "to avoid shooting into the sun". I was not quick enough to move to the opposite side of the kestrel so that the sun was t my back. It will have to wait until next time to get the bird, the sun, and me in the optimum position.

[Satish Ranadive]

Loi:
You have got absolutely superb pose of kestrel.
I like the HA,almost symmetrical wing position,nice colors,fanned tail feather and light passing through it.
Nice composition too.Love it.

Regards,
Satish.

[Mike Veltri]

They sure are fast, and you did well considering the angle to the sun.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Too bad about the sun angle (and strength)...at least it gave you some neat see-through effects to the featehrs. Neat hovering pose.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Loi, excellent hovering pose, fanned tail, and love the light on the edge of the wings. Comp wise, I would take a bit off the top, and add to the bottom. No doubt you will nail the next shot.

[Raymond Lee]

Lovely capture! Too bad for the sun, but it is what it is. Either you get the shot or not. I think the composition is fine the way it is. Hope you get your next chance. I'm also look for my first Kestrel in flight photo, but they are not cooperative here.

[Karl Egressy]

Excellent howering pose captured, Loi. Love the wing and tail position.

[Jim Crosswell]

I like the wing position, fanned tail and Stuarts comp suggestion. Look forward to seeing images from your next encounter.

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

Lucky you to have a cooperative kestrel. Love the backlit wings and great pose