American Kestrel

[Bill Dix]

This is about as close a flight shot as I have gotten of these guys. I wish it were closer yet, but at least he gave me a good banking pose in the late afternoon light. Desaturated a strong blue sky, and added a hint of clouds.

D7200, 500f4 + 1.4 TC, ISO 1000, 1/3200s @ f/7.1 manual

[Amy Marques]

Hi Bill. This is a nice banking pose captured. Kestrels certainly are not at all easy to photograph do to their small size and skittishness. The main issue that comes to mind is the blue and or cyan color cast and dark line leading the front edge of the wings. I recommend selecting the bird and removing those colors from the plumage. Thanks for sharing.

[Bill Dix]

Hi Amy. Thanks for looking. I've been known to miss a color cast, but in this case I'm not seeing it. I sampled white areas of the underwing and tail, and I'm coming up with numbers like 238.235.230, tending just slightly toward the red channel which would be appropriate for the late afternoon light. The exception is a few areas of bluish tint on the trailing wing edges, which is probably due to the sky color. When I desaturated the strong blue sky I probably should have desaturated those few spots as well. Adult male Kestrels have black primaries, and dark blue-grey upper wing coverts. Given the sun angle from the left, and the bird's approaching flight angle, I think what you're seeing is the leading edge of the primaries and coverts in shadow. I appreciate your comments.

[Amy Marques]

Sorry. I meant the blue color cast on the dark line leading the front edge of the wings. It's also along the edge of the tail feathers.

[Bill Dix]

Amy, here's another view of the same bird that may illustrate what I mean about the leading edge of the wing. This is a massive crop, only about 10% of the area of the original, but it does show how the leading edge of the near wing seen head on, even when catching the sun, looks very dark.

[Bill Dix]

Sorry. I meant the blue color cast on the dark line leading the front edge of the wings. It's also along the edge of the tail feathers.

Oh. OK. I think I see what you mean. Probably the result of my having desaturated the sky, and when I slightly feathered the selection of the bird a bit of the original sky color crept through along the edges.

[Amy Marques]

Yes. Thank you, Bill. That is what I am referring to.

[David Salem]

Nice shot of this beautiful male. Nice colors and pose showing all of his plumage well. I might move him up in the frame a little. Nice shot.

You need to clear some space in your PM account. I am not able to reply to your questions. Says your full. Let me know when you are clear.

[Bill Dix]

Thanks David. I've cleaned out my PM inbox.