Peregrine Falcon

[Paul Burdett]

Returned recently from a short trip to Sydney, where I was able to photograph Peregrine Falcons. I was happy just seeing them (a lifer for me) but was hoping for some good shots anyway. Knowing how fast they move I wasn't expecting too much. However, I spent 90 minutes photographing them and managed to get a number of shots which I'm happy with. Getting tack sharp on the face was always going to be difficult for me, but here's one I'm happy with. There are others which I'll post soon. Cheers.
7Dii, 100-400@400mm, 1/3200th sec. f5.6, iso 1600, HH in manual mode.

[dankearl]

Not bad... tough shot to get with eye contact....a bit of a purple caste?

[Paul Burdett]

Hi Dan. Cheers. No purple cast on my main calibrated monitor.

[arash_hazeghi]

I like the incoming pose, colors look good from here. there is too much empty space in the frame and the face of the falcon isn't quite sharp / in focus. The Canon 7Dii is very unlikely to give you sharp files from this subject coming at the camera unfortunately . Try the banking shots when the bird is flying parallel to the back of the camera which is easier on the AF, you will have better results

TFS

[Paul Burdett]

Hi Arash. Thank you for the feedback. Yes, I'm aware of my limitations (gearwise anyway). The "empty space" is a result of not wanting to crop too much. I guess I'm happy I got anything at all lol. Here's a banking shot. Cheers.

7Dii, 100-400@400mm, 1/3200th sec, f6.3, iso800, manual mode HH.

[arash_hazeghi]

The banking shot is lot a better in terms of pose, love the fanned tailed and the slightly open beak, a shot anyone would love to have . this one is also a bit soft, I am curious was the RAW sharp? perhaps it is from processing....

TFS

[Paul Burdett]

Thanks again Arash. The raw file was not that sharp on the face, but I applied some in pp. I know my gear is part of the problem...still trying to decide on which way to go (keep Canon, add Nikon gear etc etc). I appreciate your feedback.

[Colin Driscoll]

You've done really well with the gear limitations, the banking shot is my pick as it shows off more of the bird.

[Paul Burdett]

Thanks Colin.

[Daniel Cadieux]

Although the expression in the first image is fun, I agree the second image is a much stronger one. I have zero images of this species - I'm envious (in a good way of course!).

[Joseph Przybyla]

Hi Paul, beautiful bird, good wing positions in both, although I like the second image best. I'd like to see what Arash could do with your second image to know if it is the image or post processing that gives a tad soft appearance. Thank you for sharing.

[William Dickson]

Well done Paul, on capturing this beautiful bird in flight. Love the flight pose on the second one...

Will

[Paul Burdett]

Thank you Daniel, Joseph & William. I appreciate the feedback. I have other shots of interesting poses which I'm really happy with, but again they're not tack sharp. I guess it's my technique and gear limitations...they're so fast...they fly at over 300kmh!
Joseph: the raw file is not tack sharp, so I don't think it can be improved that much other than by sharpening. Arash has commented before to me that unless the raw file is sharp then there's not much that can be done other than sharpening in pp, which is not always effective for the best result. Cheers.

[John Mack]

Like the direct stare in the first post. The dorsal view on the second one is nice as well.

[Paul Burdett]

Thanks John...cheers.

[Dorian Anderson]

I love the facial expression in the first, flat winged frame, but the pose does make for a very difficult composition as others have mentioned. The banking shot is very nice, particularly the fully fanned-tail!
Bird isn't super sharp in either, but both do display the power of this species well.

[Paul Burdett]

Thanks Dorian.

I Hope it's ok to post more Falcon images I managed to take. Again, the sharpness is not there but I love the poses.

[Paul Burdett]

Another pose.

[Paul Burdett]

Last one...thanks for looking.