Peregrine Falcon in Habitat

[Doug Brown]

This juvenile Peregrine Falcon was exploring an area of cliff that had some nice vegetation. The BG is OOF cliff face.



Canon 1D Mark III, 500mm, f/4, 1/1250, ISO 1000, manual exposure, hand held

[Stu Bowie]

How is that direct eye contact Doug - if looks could kill. Brilliant IQ, super comp, and the light, detail and colours in this are simply outstanding. I like the surrounding foliage too. Congrats on a fine image.

[Dr.Pranay Rao Juvvadi]

Liked this very much. If this is not a FF, how about a vertical? Other than that Ditto Stuart.

[Subharghya]

I loved this compo a lot but also would love to see a more intense, tight vertical with more canvas on top ... the IQ and the Eye contact is Brilliant !! Also the Setting is a Killer !!! Congrats on this Grand Shot !!

[David Fletcher]

One cool shot Doug. Intense eye contact. Congrats. Like the comp too: subtle balance of habitat and space.

[Doug Brown]

Like the comp too: subtle balance of habitat and space.

That's why I went with a horizontal crop; the balance between habitat and BG space. I thought a vertical crop would not have had the proper balance of elements.

[Austin Thomas]

Very nice Doug.

I particularly like the complimentary BKGR colour and tones.

Thanks for sharing.

Austin

[Chris Kotze]

Excellent pose, feather detail and I like the HA and eye contact. Great shot

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Horizontal crop works exceptionally well here Doug. Killer stare, pose and BG. All good mate. Love it. :)

[Hannes van Rooyen]

Wow! What a death stare - very very impressive! I can just imagine how a rabbit would speed after getting this stare! Thanks!

[Mike Tracy]

I might tone down ever so slightly the purple in the succulent (?) and the reddish flowers to his right next to him.

I also agree this image lends itself to a horizontal crop but might try having the right edge before the small orangeish thing. This would still give you the balance you wish but eliminate some empty space with further emphasis on this gorgeous bird.

This is both technically well done and the inclusion of it's habitat put this over the top.

I rarely say this but I wish it were mine.

[david cramer]

Nicely composed, Doug, with a great bg. Looks like you could reach and touch him!

[Art Kornienko]

Stunning shot Doug, not sure about the room on the right.

[Harshad Barve]

LOvey image Doug , compo looks great to me
TFS

[Sinh Nhut Nguyen]

A very beautiful potrait, I love the way you cropped it and of course the eye contact is great.

[Ajit Huilgol]

Everything about this image is great, Doug - the eye contact, the eye-level shot, the beauty of the subject itself, and the bg just about adds the finishing touch! :)

[denise ippolito]

Doug, It doesn't get much better than this in my book! Beautiful pose sharpness and exposure. I love the composition as is. Great stare!!

[Juan Carlos Vindas]

Can't ask for more!
Great looking falcon, the environment makes this one very special for me. More DOF (for the green vegetation) would improve this one IMO but I understand your settings since you were shooting hand held.

[Doug Brown]

Thanks everyone! This was a really fun encounter!