"The Launch"

[David Salem]

I have been having a great time with some Kestrels this year. This male was very cooperative and let me get really close to him, closer than I had ever been to this flighty little raptor.
He only stayed for a few days but I was fortune enough to get some nice frames in that short time. This is my favorite frame from that encounter. Hope you like it .

1DMkIV---700mm---f6.3---ss1/4000---ISO640---HH@8:15am from truck---20% crop

Thanks as always for looking and for your input. I appreciate it.

David

[Stu Bowie]

Hi David, brilliant IQ, and just love the light. You have brought out the detail nicely, and the two tone colours of the BG compliment the kestrel so well. I do like the raised wings from the take off pose, and very well timed, as I assume the next frame, he has left the perch.

[Don Railton]

Cracker Shot David..! timing is perfect, lots of detail. I see nothing to improve.

DON

[keith mitchell]

Super little Falcon David, don't see anything I would change on this cracking shot.

Keith.

[Lorant Voros]

Very nice IQ and sweet light, well chosen moment and nice catch light in the eye. Very nice.

[Doug Brown]

Gorgeous bird and a great take-off pose!

[Sidharth Kodikal]

Sweet take off shot David. Beautiful bird, light and soft bg. Love those little talons and the fact that there's very little shadow being cast on the far wing. Excellent work.

[David Salem]

Thanks for taking the time to comment everyone.

[Jim Crosswell]

Great image David! I agree with all the positive comments.

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Cool pose, nice light, and super nice details. TFS David.

[Shawn Zierman]

The image quality is really excellent! You really nailed the light angle/eye level perspective here too. Is there some type of geography working in your favor that holds these birds to a smaller coverable area? The other question would be, are there great numbers of kestrels, and so the odds are just tipping a bit in your favor? You've just turned out so many excellent images of this (typically difficult to photograph bird where I live), that I like to know more of what's factoring in...

[gail bisson]

This is beautiful.
I love the light, the pose and the IQ.
And that BG....
Gail

[Satish Ranadive]

Excellent take off pose with beautiful wing position, colors,nice details and BG.Regards,Satish.

[Marina Scarr]

Stunning light, super take off pose, great techs.

[David Salem]

Thanks everyone for the nice comments. I appreciate it.

[Holger Leyrer]

Stunning take off pose. Light, exposure, BG, ... all is perfect. Great work, David

[Ishmeet Sahni]

A stunning image, the action, light, pose, IQ are all brilliant......super.

[David Salem]

Thanks Shawn.

I sent you a PM to further explain the Kestrel situation in my area since I wasn't sure if you would return to this thread.

David

[MohsenVahedipour]

Terrific take-off pose. excellent light, IQ & BG. Perfect shot David. Thanks for sharing.

[Frank Schauf]

Excellent image quality, great details and sharpness.