American Kestrel

[James Jans]

A very breezy morning just upstream from the Lachine Canal on the Island of Montreal. A very coy look. Canon 40D, 100 - 400 mm handheld, f11.0, 1/1000s. Thanks!

Jim

[Lance Peters]

HI James - nice looking bird. Like the pose and the head angle is good.
Always try to have the sun lined up behind you - otherwise you will have the effect you see here with half your bird in shadow and the eye not really visible. You could try lightening the eye don't know that you are going to get much out of it but worth a try.
Also looks a little soft - is it a large crop???

[Gus Cobos]

Hi James,
A nice composition and capture indeed...agree with Mr. Peters on the lighting issue...I would go ahead and open up the eye area and selective sharpen...you still have details there...looking forward to your next one...:cool:

[Harold Davis]

you found a beautiful bird here, james. just the light angle killed you here. keep em coming!

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Cannot add more to what already had been said. Except keep it up and would love to see more images. :) Congrats.

[Alfred Forns]

Can only add if you can't get on sun angle then try fill flash !! Will lighten up the darker side and create a catchlight !!!

Love the pose and clean bg !!!