Canon 40D
100-400mm @ 400mm
1/2500 sec, f/8
Mode: Av
Metering: Evaluative
Exp comp: -1/3
ISO: 400
AF mode: AI Servo AF
Drive: Continuous (high): frame 1
White balance: Auto
Flash: Off
Taken just outside Pretoria South Africa
All C&C welcome and appreciated
Love the light, the blue sky and the spread wings and tail. I would have preferred bit more room on the left and a bit less on the right. I would leave it as is, if this is a full frame. I prefer rectangular over square frames, hence would not like to crop this just on the right.
These beautiful raptors pass right across India during their annaul migration (Dec to Jan and while returning in April) in small to large groups (in their hundreds sometimes). Since they are only on passage, we do not get many photographic opportunities. Are they seen frequently in South Africa?
Last edited by Dr.Pranay Rao Juvvadi; 07-08-2009 at 05:43 PM.
Nice image, and I agree with Fabs re: crop and lightening under the wing. If you had a frame just a second later, with the wing clear of the branch merge, that might be even better, but he may have had a less desirable wing position.
Love the pose and eye contact. Nice sharpness. The underwing areas are a little dark; if anything I might have added +1/3 EC instead of going with negative EC here. Otherwise very nice!
Enjoyable image. I also like the pose. Good details and the tail fan is nice. Good comments above on lighting under the wings and space at the bottom. Thanks Doug for the EC comment I find that very helpful.
Very nice Kobus! Great light, pose and sharp details. I agree with a bit of a comp change to move the bird and perch a bit more into the ROT position LL and a bit of S/H lightening of the underwings. Overall a great image that I would certainly be proud to have taken.
GReat take off mate! Love the wing spread, I would love more even if you had a slightly better HA and a bit more room in the LLC. Still this rocks.
Fabs,
My understanding is that a kestrel is still a falcon, it is just that kestrel is a common name. Happy to be told to shut my big mouth anytime! :D A bit like my Eastern Blue Wrasse I posted in wildlife a couple of days ago. It is called a Groper (you guys call it a Grouper) yet technically it is a wrasse anyways. :) Common names really are and can be a PITA.
We have the Australian (aka Nankeen) Kestrel, Falco cenchroides. So in essence, a falcon still. :)
Last edited by Ákos Lumnitzer; 07-08-2009 at 10:25 PM.
Super take off posture showing the detail and colour in the wings. The fanned tail adds too. There are signs of colour noise in the darker areas of the wing, but could also be natural markings on the featheres.
Thx all for the Great comments and suggestions.
These are Amur Falcons and they come to the North parts of SA (from Johannesburg area up north) each Feb to mid March. Hundreds of them. A believe they come al the way from Pakistan.
Here is a repost(did some NR and improved the comp) and also a not so good image of the male.....This is one of the bird species where the Female is more beautiful than the Male imo
Amur Falcon
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