Kestrel with Savannah Sparrow

[David Salem]

Here is another frame from the awesome encounter we had with Lady Kestrel a few years ago. I posted a frame a few months ago of this scene and I gave a detailed description of the events leading up to this frame.
She chased a sharpie down and stole this sparrow from it. She then landed back on the perch we were set up on and ate the sparrow in front of us. Here she in the midst of plucking the bird in preparation for eating it.
I couldn't help this one from pixilating a little when downsizing. Some BGs are just that way. I could have cloned it to smooth it out but it's late and I'm tired. Hope you like it.

1DMkIV---700mm---f6.3---ss1/2000---ISO800---HH from truck@3:45pm---25% crop

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

David

[Steve Kaluski]

Outstanding David, doesn't get much better.

Love the action and the fact the mouth is open, highlighting the 'plucking' aspect, cracking detail and all set on a 'killer' backdrop, no pun intended. Colour palette is gorgeous, the rich colours of the plumage set against the more subdued of the background, excellent work. A pleasure to view.

TFS
Steve

PS Based on yesterdays sale, I think that truck is becoming another Picasso, a great asset/investment.

[David Salem]

Thanks so much for the comment Steve, I'm glad you like it.

The "Truck" is getting it's fair share of use with me and my friends and it's getting a fair amount of bookings for this winter also, so yes it's becoming a great asset.
Now if it would just be worth as much as that Picasso, I would be gone on a world wide avian tour for the next year

Thanks again!

[Steve Kaluski]

I would be gone on a world wide avian tour for the next year

You'll be needing some 'world-wide' agents then to help you achieve this I guess, LOL.

[Andreas Liedmann]

Hi David , well i can only echo Steve´s comment . Stunning work !!

Only a little thing i would think about , do not want to be too picky though as this is a gorgeous image with great IQ , i might drop the output sharpening a fraction . If you split the sharpening layer into a dark and a light half and reduce the lighter half by x % you will get an image with slightly lower strong edges . But this my personal view and no deal breaker .

TFS Andreas

[David Salem]

Steve, I will look you up when the time comes ;)

[David Salem]

Andreas, thanks for your comment also, I definitely appreciate it and thanks for the sharpening tip. I've never donet that. I might PM you if you don't mind to give me more details on how to split the darks and lights in layers to sharpen them separately.Thanks again

[Andreas Liedmann]

David drop me a PM and i will explain to you in detail

[Gerald Kelberg]

Stunning image, Dave! The pose, the action with the mouth open, the plumage against that super background.

About as good as it gets!

Thanks for sharing, Gerald

[Charlene Bacchioni]

This image is brilliant ,it is a 10/10 for me ,well done David.

[keith mitchell]

David this gives lesser mortals such as myself something to aspire to, excellent.

Keith.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Beautiful image David. Nice and soft lighting with extra special action.
Just insane!

[gail bisson]

Nothing else to add! One heck of a shot.
Sharpness, IQ, action depicted, all superb!
I think I know who will win this month's theme!
gail

[William Dickson]

Amazing frame, I love it all. Great work David

Will

[David Salem]

Thanks everyone.

[Mike Poole]

Beautiful image in every way (unless you're a sparrow of course!). going to be a tough contest to win this moth, but this has a very good shot at it

[Jim Crosswell]

Great action image David! I like the pose, prey, IQ, details, light and composition.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi David, just wanna add my congrats on a superb image. Fine work sir.

[Glenn Conlan]

Stunning buddy, wish I was there that day. A wall hanger for sure.

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent frame Dave, love everything as is including sharpening which looks perfect to me

what a frame

[christopher galeski]

Its all been said,excellent image,superb,well done.

[David Salem]

Thanks again everyone. I appreciate all your comments.