Poor thing.

[keith mitchell]

Kestrel

Nikon D4
Nikon 300ml 2.8
1/640@f8
iso 1000.

I love Voles and Mice so did feel a bit sad for this one, after saying this did feel a bit for this male Kestrel that managed to rear 3 chicks without the female. Not the best of settings I know.

Thanks for taking a look.

[Karl Egressy]

Amazing action shot, Keith. The eye of the Vole is still open. He must have been a great hunter.

[Bill Dix]

Nice look at the Kestrel. They have to eat too.

[Mike Poole]

Nice behavioural shot in what the Kestrel calls home. Full marks from me.

[Steve Kaluski]

Excellent Keith, head straight down the barrel of the camera, looking to the viewer, lovely, but to have the vole, priceless, cool fieldcraft.

Get that shutter speed more to 1600-2500 so up the ISO, trust me.

Can we do a swop of subjects please.

TFS
Steve

[keith mitchell]

Thanks Guys much appreciated.
Steve will talk soon.
Keith.

[christopher galeski]

Nice capture Keith,good eye contact,nice detail,the vole makes this shot for me.TFS.

[adrian dancy]

Excellent capture Keith and I feel for the vole too, but it is nature and nature is cruel. The male appears in pretty good condition.

[William Dickson]

Very nice capture Keith. Love the pose and the eye contact. Well done

Will

[Gabriela Plesea]

Whew, this is awesome, Keith! I too feel sorry for the mouse but glad the chicks had something to eat:)

Love the pose and eye contact, don't mind the "surroundings" of course - this Kestrel is @ home:)

Truly a great capture with a nice behavioural aspect. Keith, I see you are also shooting D4, it can take lots more ISO

Looking forward to more from you, this just wetted my appetite...

Warmest regards,

[Gabriela Plesea]

PS Keith, your image here reminded me of a Falcon I once captured in the Kalahari. Those two species look alike to me. I posted something for you, see "Lanner Falcon"...

Well done on this, again

[keith mitchell]

Thanks a lot for your comments and suggestions ,much appreciated.

Keith.