American Kestrel with Dragonfly

[David Salem]

This beautiful male has been showing up at a local shooting spot for four years now. He comes in late September to early October to hunt the dragonflies of the fall. He is very cooperative, only while he is hunting, and as soon as he gets his fill he is off.
I was very lucky on this day to be in a friends lifted truck witch gave us a higher POV than in my truck and it gave us an all green BG!! Hope you like him.

1DX---840mm---f7.1---ss1/2500th---ISO640---Handheld from truck@3:45pm---40% crop

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

David

[Tim Foltz]

Dave, another excellent shot, nice and sharp, excellent colors. The blue of the DF really adds some pop.
Now you're using an elevated truck blind? what comes next :) Time for you to lift the new truck...

-Tim

[John Mack]

Awesome is all i can think of. Love the dragonfly. Sweet light as well.

[Randy Stout]

David:

Outstanding action, colors, prey item. I like the balance of masses in the comp.

Just a minor thought. I might try a version with the luminosity of the perch toned down just a few points, so it doesn't compete with the bird. Subtle thing, but when you get to this level, only minor tweaks are needed. Personal taste really.

Randy

[Jim Crosswell]

Beautiful image David! I like the pose, IQ, BG, dragonfly and composition.

[David Salem]

Thanks guys.

Randy, Thanks for that. I didn't find the perch to bright but now that I see your re-post I do like the subtle difference.

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

Beautiful Image. Kestrels are one of my Favorite birds.

Prey Adds a lot to the image. Nice clean background and great image quality.

Thanks for sharing.

[Colin Driscoll]

Tasty, both dragonfly and picture! Has all the good points, great background, wings up, contrasting blue dragonfly, interesting but not overpowering perch, light on the bird and all in sharp focus.

[Jay Ing]

Really like this one. So much about it is just great. Light and action. The perch is so well lit I almost wish it had more contrast on it in places. Makes it have a 2 dimensional look which is so in contrast with the great dynamics on the bird itself. Love it though. Happy shooting! Thanks for sharing.

[Isaac Grant]

All worked out for you on this one Dave. Super pose and details. The prey takes it over the top for sure. All against a dream background. Super shot.

[Bill Dix]

Another stunner! Checks all the boxes for me, plus a few boxes I didn't even know existed. Randy's tweak, albeit, subtle, is a good one.

[annmpacheco]

Wowsa Dave!!! IQ tops, and the subtle change in the perch is another rich color to this outstanding image! I love how detailed this kestrel is, the face the talons, and each claw... terrific.

[arash_hazeghi]

man wish this one was mine,male and with prey!

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Really well executed image. Great pose with the prey. I am fine with the OP to be honest.
Cheers mate

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dave, I like the placement of the Kestrel on the end of the perch looking into the frame. Great pose with the raised wings, sharp, and I do like the colours of the Kestrel too. Killer clean BG, and the Dragonfly meal takes this up lots.