Kestrel handheld

[Sabyasachi Patra]

This is one more handhlding shot. Falco tinnunculus

Canon EOS 1D Mark II, Canon EF 400mm F2.8 L IS USM, EF 2xII, ISO 800, f8, 1/1250, full frame image. Minimal processing in lightroom 2.5

Look forward to your comments and critiques.

Cheers,
Sabyasachi

[Axel Hildebrandt]

I like the soft light and setting and wish for a bit more eye contact.

[Jim Fenton]

I really like the stare and think that it adds inquisitiveness to the presentation....and interaction with the photographer.

I might do some cloning to remove some of the leaves / branches in the far left and the ones emerging from the tail to it's right.

Also, lightening up the subjects left eye a bit might make it a stronger image as well.

[John Haig]

Sabyasachi,

I really like the stare the kestrel is giving you...probably the last thing some of it's prey sees.

I wonder how it would work as a vertical crop? I find the extra foliage to the right slightly distracting.

[Suzanne Huot]

Love the interested and perky look you have caught of this raptor,perhaps a little less greenery as detracts from main subject.Beutiful capture

[Brian Barcelos]

Great job on exposure and I don't mind the crop and extra greens. I wish he were looking slightly to the left or right though. Beautiful species and I hope you have more to share.

[Sabyasachi Patra]

Dear Axel, Jim, John, Suzanne and Brian,
Thanks for your comments. Highly appreciated.

[Judy Lynn Malloch]

Sweet pose and composition. I particularly like the eye contact and inquisitive look. Thanks for sharing this with us Sabyasachi.