American Kestrel with Dragonfly

[David Salem]

This handsome male Kestrel shows up every year for a week or two during the the beginning of fall. He avidly hunts dragonflies in the warmth of the early fall and he's usually pretty cooperative when he's hunting. This was taken in the last hour of the evening.
This is one of those Backgrounds that wants to pixelate no matter what when it's downsized, so it is what it is. Hope you like him

1DX---840mm---f7.1---ss1/1600th---ISO800---Handheld@4:15pm---30% crop

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

David

[Tim Foltz]

Dave, another killer Kestrel shot from the land barge, nice details, HA, BG and prey.

-Tim

[Dorian Anderson]

As good as it gets, David! Love the color on him. Still need a shot of a male for my own collection!

[Glenn Pure]

A really striking shot, David. Love that electric blue dragonfly beautifully held and displayed in the talons: as if showing off to you. Brilliant detail and IQ. That direct light really makes the bird pop when combined with the contrasting colour background.

[Marina Scarr]

Truly a stunner, David. Those colors are so vivid. Love the pose and BG and of course the prey is a huge plus.

[Isaac Grant]

So nice Dave. Perfect pose and light with a yummy snack to boot! DFC for life

[Tobie Schalkwyk]

Lovely shot David! Excellent clarity & detail and the way in which he holds the dragonfly pushes it over the top! Well done!

[annmpacheco]

Hey I recognize that dragonfly, whoops, kestrel!!! Rock and roll my friend, fantabuloso! The only suggestion is to remove what may be some bird poop or intestinal remains about an inch below the foot gripped on the perch. I would like one of these or several hundred come Fall.

[Stu Bowie]

Hi Dave, brilliant detail, tack sharp, and do you talk to your subjects that they are always looking at you when you press the shutter. I do like the colours on the Kestrel, and the Dragonfly a bonus. Another fine image mate.

[David Salem]

Thanks everyone for the nice comments. Glad you like him. One of my favorite images from last year.

[David Salem]

Hey I recognize that dragonfly, whoops, kestrel!!! Rock and roll my friend, fantabuloso! The only suggestion is to remove what may be some bird poop or intestinal remains about an inch below the foot gripped on the perch. I would like one of these or several hundred come Fall.

Thanks Ann.
I did see that little piece but for some reason I didn't clone it out.
This is the male, not the female that you shot. I think we saw him up in the tree but he never came down to give us a good shot. We had a lot of action and many great frames but I was really hoping he would come down for you girls as he is a really exceptionally handsome bird.
No feather mites on this guy Something for next time.
Thanks again

[William Dickson]

what else can I say......A Rock and Roll Star or in Scottish 'a really guid photy'

Well done Dave

Will

[Krishna Prasad kotti]

Beautiful Image and Light.

Back ground does not look pixelate to me.

Thanks for sharing.

[Glenn Conlan]

Boy that would make for a great Acrylic print the large posting size makes me sit back in my chair to appreciate it. "The luck of Salem" or is it skill?

[David Salem]

Boy that would make for a great Acrylic print the large posting size makes me sit back in my chair to appreciate it. "The luck of Salem" or is it skill?

Thanks again everyone.

Glenn,

I think it's a bit of both, but as we both laugh about, you don't get shots like these on the couch