Young Lugger Falcon (captive)

[Roy Priest]

A friend received this young male Lugger falcon recently and this was taken yesterday.
Luggers are very uncommon falconry birds here in Canada and even less common in the US. They are a medium sized falcon found in the Indian sub-continent where they inhabit open countryside and plains.
I love young falcons are their plumage is so soft and powdery (is that a word)
Would it be better if there was a hint of the other eye or should both eyes be visible? Does the reflection in the eye bother anyone. I have numerous other shots of this bird. He was in the shade. I thought getting good shots was going to be easy but it wasn't.:D

D90, 300mm, F9, iso500, 1/50 sec, tripod

[Harold Davis]

is that the USA flag in the reflection!!? to answer the question, no it does not bother me a bit. i like the detail in it. detail looks good. i think it needs a little canvas up top and more left than on the right to give the bird some room to look into.

beautiful bird....thanks for sharing it!!

[Alfred Forns]

No problem with the reflection for me either !! Nice crisp image and good light !! Crop wise looks a little odd with the eye right at the center ..... and not seeing the other eye is just fine but if you do want to show it would like to see the entire eye !!! Excellent !!!

[Gus Cobos]

Hi Roy,
Excellent details and very good color rendition...composition wise, I agree with Doctor Davis on more canvas to the left side of the frame and less on the right...good show...:cool:

[Kathy Reeves]

Wonderful details Roy. What a gorgeous falcon!

[Christopher Miller]

Beautiful photo, Roy! Nice sharp details. Love the eye contact and reflection. Agree on removing a bit from the right. Well done!

[Roy Priest]

is that the USA flag in the reflection!!? to answer the question, no it does not bother me a bit. i like the detail in it. detail looks good. i think it needs a little canvas up top and more left than on the right to give the bird some room to look into.
beautiful bird....thanks for sharing it!!

Harold, no that's not a USA flag, don't really know what it is. This was full frame so I have to look in the resources forum on how to add canvas. Thanks

[Roy Priest]

No problem with the reflection for me either !! Nice crisp image and good light !! Crop wise looks a little odd with the eye right at the center ..... and not seeing the other eye is just fine but if you do want to show it would like to see the entire eye !!! Excellent !!!

Thanks Al, I've looked at my other pics and none is good enough showing both eyes. I'll wander back up there in a few days and take more shots. He only lives five doors away from me.

[Roy Priest]

Hi Roy,
Excellent details and very good color rendition...composition wise, I agree with Doctor Davis on more canvas to the left side of the frame and less on the right...good show...:cool:

Thanks Gus, have to compose a better shot next time.

[Roy Priest]

Wonderful details Roy. What a gorgeous falcon!

Thanks Kathy, they are beautiful aren't they. The young ones have such soft plumage and are pretty in their own right. As they moult the first time into adult plumage the feathers harden and shorten. Adult birds are much handsomer but youngsters have their own appeal.

[Roy Priest]

Beautiful photo, Roy! Nice sharp details. Love the eye contact and reflection. Agree on removing a bit from the right. Well done!

Thanks Christopher.

[Lance Peters]

Well done Roy - agree with more canvas on the LHS - generally you want more space in front than behind.
Looking forward to your next one :)