This shot was taken a few months ago I really like the eye level pose captured as this
Kestrel made its way over my head. I'm not the biggest fan of the bg but the dynamic pose makes the shot for me. I cloned out a distracting branch and blurred the bg. ;)
Jim, I too like the pose and eye contact. Great colors and details. The bg with oof vegetation looks good to me although I would have preferred to lighten the dark spot on the left. Still an excellent composition. TFS.
Great pose and excellent plumage details especially in the dorsal view of the far wing, Jim. Is a little more space available on the left to decentre the kestrel a bit or does that bring in more of the BG that you're not a fan of?
That is an incredible image James, as mentioned the detailed plumage and colours are awesome and eye contact and outstretched talons just add to it. Great capture.
It seems that all of your flight images are spectacular but the position in which you've captured this kestrel is really something special. Even though kestrels are common in Missouri, I still haven't even managed to catch one on a fence post! The eye contact and feather detail here are at typical Salywoda standards so I don't need to say much. I'm wondering if a smidge more off the bottom would make it even better but probably not. Good one.
Well done, James. The position of the kestrel makes for an exciting photo. You say you don't love the background but you don't specify the problem. Perhaps it's that spot on the left. The bottom vegetation is not a problem at all in my eyes, but yes, perhaps something could be done about that spot on the left.