Kestrel Landing

[Loi Nguyen]

Image taken around 2PM on New Year Day at David Salem's SoCal birding spot, the light was a bit harsh, but I like the dynamic pose.

5D3
500f4 II + 2X III = 1000mm
1/4000
f8
ISO-1600

I had just pulled the car up the side of the road and then aimed when the kestrel took off, so missed the takeoff shot, but out of the corner of my other eye, saw her flying back, so I looked into he view finder and amazingly she appeared. The lens was focusing on the perch, so some of the early shots were out of focus, but this one is in good focus.

Reduced the exposure in DPP by about -0.5EV

Cropped to about 40% of FF

Thank you for your comments on my previous posting. Happy New Year to all!

Loi

[arash_hazeghi]

Hi Loi,
I like the balancing pose and soft light (it doesn't look harsh at all), wish the far wing had a better position. but honestly what could much better is the BG. The plain sky just isn't great. I know this kestrel and she often sits on the lower perches with the varied BG which make a much more appealing shot. Dave and I usually avoid this perch with sky BG.

TFS and happy new year to you as well/

[Arthur Morris]

Yeah, it that is harsh light I wish that I had been there. A wonderful bird, pose, and image.

[dankearl]

I really like the pose, Loi, pretty fun image... Yes to the far wing not ideal, but not really an issue for me.

[Robert Kimbrell]

Well done Loi. Really good IQ. I have yet to get so close, I would be thrilled if it were mine.

[Loi Nguyen]

Hi Loi,
I like the balancing pose and soft light (it doesn't look harsh at all), wish the far wing had a better position. but honestly what could much better is the BG. The plain sky just isn't great. I know this kestrel and she often sits on the lower perches with the varied BG which make a much more appealing shot. Dave and I usually avoid this perch with sky BG.

TFS and happy new year to you as well/

There were a couple of Kestrels when I was there and this one was a little more skittish, thus I chose to stay at a distance and shot with the 500 + 2X. I know about the other perches and will give it another go before the season is over for sure.

Artie and Arash, regarding the light I did reduce the highlights by -1.5 and contrast by -0.5 in DPP4 (don't remember if I did any burning). I was lucky that there is no shadow on the near wing. I do have another image with both wings up and facing me, but this one has a strong shadow under one wing, so I chose this one to post first. Will post the other later for comparison.

Thank you for your comments.

Loi

[annmpacheco]

Did the kestrel "stick the landing?" you bet, a 10 for her and a 10 for you! wonderful image.

[Charlene Bacchioni]

Brilliant Loi

[Sidharth Kodikal]

The light looks fine to me Loi, and I really like the pose and the eye contact.

[Glenn Conlan]

Nice timing Loi, your patience paid off. We are very fortunate to have great light most of the time. Nice seeing you. Keep up the great work

[Karl Egressy]

Great moment captured, excellent landing pose, Loi.