Greater Kestrel, Kgalagadi, South Africa

[Chris van Rooyen]

I created this image in my favourite raptor photographic destination, the Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park. The bird was sitting on top of a dune, in a strong wind, trying to maintain its balance. The light ochre colour of the red sand reflected on its feathers, creating the rich colouring. The background is the top of another grass covered dune, hundreds of metres away, which resulted in the smooth transition between the horizon and the sky. I like the way in which the colour of the grass and sand in the background is repeated in the bird. I removed a few distracting leaves in the foreground. All comments welcomed

Camera Model: Canon EOS-1D Mark II
Date/Time: 2007:06:21 10:026
Shutter speed: 1/1600 sec
Aperture: 10
Exposure mode: Av
Flash: Off
Metering mode: Multi-segment
ISO: 400
Lens: 500mm
Focal length: 1000mm

[David Steele]

Another beauty Chris. This is my favourite raptor area too. The picture is perfect - and unusual - but the I find the border a bit heavy!

[Christopher C.M. Cooke]

What a superb looking bird with great eye contact and stunning plumage.

Great capture but I agree with the previous poster, the frame appears a bit heavy and dark.:)

[Axel Hildebrandt]

Excellent capture. I like the unusual perch, pose and details. The frame is too dominant for me, too and I would give it a bit more room at the top. :)

[Dan O'Leary]

Beautiful as always.

[Jody Melanson]

Awesome pose and details. Love the BG colours also. Agree about the frame being too dominant.

[Tony Whitehead]

Another Wow, Chris. I like the tight framing on this. Colours are great.

[Stephen Stephen]

I love this image Chris. This bird looks like one tough raptor. I too would tone down the frame.