Lesser Kestrel

[Richard Unsworth]

Captured at LPN near Castro Verde, Alentejo

Had a lovely day trying my luck with these; I have tried many times to capture and failed.
They move like a rocket lol. Today my luck changed and I was able to nail this one complete with butterfly as it swung by!

Canon 7D 100-400 1/1600 ISO 400 F5.6 Manual Expose HH
CURVES, NR AND SHARPENED

[Miguel Palaviccini]

Richard

If they are anything like the Kestrels that I have seen, then you did an excellent job of following and capturing this guy.

I think the image has just a tad of IQ loss, but I'd definitely be very happy with this!

Miguel

[Richard Unsworth]

Hi Miguel
yep thery are a bit quick
this is no ordinary Kestrel though, this species is in fact critically endangered; you are unlikely to see one in Europe except where they are being looked after
in the wild. LPN provides special nesting sites and a few return each summer to breed here.

[Karl Egressy]

Kestrels are very hard to shoot. You did a great job catching one, Richard. I like the wing stretch and the fanned tail.

[hirandesilva]

Good open wing position and the bird with insect looking down makes this a image that has been clicked at the right moment. Well done.

Hiran

[Jeannean Ryman]

Nice capture! I too like the wing spread and the butterfly prey is an added bonus.