Captured in Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park recently. Caught this one just before it entered the nesting hole on the sidewall of a ditch to feed the chicks.
Canon 1D MK IV
Canon 600mm F4 IS
ISO 800
F8
1/2500 sec
Aperture Priority
+1.3 exposure to compensate for the bright sand in the BG
Hey mate, I know how fast these guys can fly, so well done on capturing this posture in your frame. They are so fast that your ss has still shown some motion blur on the head. Good to see his catch for the youngsters. Cool BG.:cool:
I like the braking pose, prey, colorful eye and plumage. As Stuart mentioned, the head is a bit soft. I am surprised at 1/2500s on a parallel flight path that it would generate this much blur. The near wing looks a bit sharper, and I wonder if even with f/8 that there may be a DOF, focus point effect here.
Prey item is a plus, a bit overexposed from the +EC needed for the bird.
It appears that you did lock focus on part of the bird, but unfortunately it wasn't the head. They look like fast fliers! Also it looks like you had room to reduce your EC and boost your SS; perhaps on a future visit you'll really nail one!
Superb capture,Hendri ! From shooting Carmine BE's in flight I know how fast these guys are,so well done !
Perhaps some selective sharpening on the head ?