Australian Kestrel (male)

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Here is one I got this morning with stacked TCs. I was about 5m away. He was incredible and I had a lot of opportunities to shoot around 500 frames in an hour. What a cooperative subject!

30D, 300mm f/4L IS USM, 1.4x + 2x, ISO400, f/16, 1/400th, tripod, 85% of FF, +1/3EC,

[Craig Brelsford]

Oh man . . . what's Aussie English for "you hit a home run"? Your hard work with the kestrels has paid off. Minor thing: your sensor's dirty. The spots are noticeable but easy to clean off.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I don't know what it is. We could say "Nailed it!" or "You beauty!" you are asking an import to Australia so I am a bit hazy on some colloquialisms. LOL. Thanks mate. I just noticed the specks as well. :( Thanks for looking. :)

[Craig Brelsford]

I think those kestrels are getting to know you, buddy. Great achievement, getting to within 5 m. A "fieldcraft portrait" if I ever saw one.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I was VERY surprised at how he trusted me. It was unbelievably beautiful. Words cannot describe how privileged I felt and still do. :)

[Lorant Voros]

I think it is the beginning of a long friendship and you will have many more great pictures of this fellow. I can imagine how you feel...enjoy the special bound and we enjoy your photos.

That being said I love the lifted foot, the fantastic detail and the light in the eye. I thought the dirt was on my laptop monitor :-). Love your work, Ákos.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Thanks Lóránt. I sincerely appreciate your kind words my friend.

[denise ippolito]

Nice work with the stacked tc's. I love the pose w/ the raised foot. Nice details and clear eye.

[A_Maddah]

Hi Akos
beautiful pose.Lovely shot.your work with the stacked tc's was surprised for me.TFS

Asad

[Dan Brown]

Really nice Akos! I only wish that I could find an American Kestrel that was this cooperative! Love the eye contact and the foot!

[Stu Bowie]

Absolutely nailed mate. Love the 'wave'. Good detail on the head, and just love the light on the eye. May you have endless hours with these guys. You deserve it.

[Marina Scarr]

What great details when considering the stacked TC's. Love the look you attained here. The bird looks so fluffy. The talon up really works.

Can't wait to see more.

[Bonnie Block]

Inredible image, Akos. Love the details and masterful use of the TC's. The bird was fluffy because it was comfortable. A falconer told me that the other day.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Akos, loved the raised foot and the details. The combinations of sharpness and softness is terrific. Time to bring the perch a bit lower to get some non-sky BG ?

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Thank you kind folks for viewing and the encouragement. I appreciate it.

Funny that KD, I was thinking about the same thing, or I am sure he won't mind me bringing a low ladder to the party. :)

Thanks again.

[Gary Esman]

way over the top for me. Gorgeous shot!

[Arthur Morris]

Killer sharp with wonderful feather detail and that killer raised foot.

Did you do a selection on the head: the top of the head looks so sharp as to look cut out..... Some of those pro-sumer cameras do that.

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

Thanks again guys.

Thanks Artie as well, appreciate your time mate. :) No, I did not selectively sharpen the head. I also thought it looked very sharp and wonder why the camera would do it then? I have the sharpening set to +4 in the set-up menu. Would that be part of the "problem"? Is there a way I could fix the cut-out look during PP? :confused:

[Arthur Morris]

I think that the sharpening does not effect the RAW (but I am not sure). Not sure why I am seeing it but not anyone else :)

[Ákos Lumnitzer]

I am baffled, maybe I should feather the edges? Is that what it's called? :)

[Chris Martinez]

Oh man . . . what's Aussie English for "you hit a home run"?

"Hit it for six" :D

And you did!! I love Nankeen Kestrels. What a great headshot. I had to come back and look at this again.

[Mark Young]

Outstanding Akos! You've certainly got a knack for getting good Raptor images. Love the raised claw, details and exposure look great.