Peregrin Falcon Male on the Beach

[Jim Fenton]

A neat opportunity yesterday morning as a per3egrine flew right by me, took down a dunlin and flew up into the dunes to consume it. A short time later the bird flew in and landed close by, allowing for some up close and personal images.

At first I assumed it was a female due to the size it presented in flight, but I was pleasantly surprised to discover that it was a large male.

I tracked down the leg bands BLACK over GREEN 14 over X and found that it had been banded on 5/24/10 here in Massachusetts.

Very subdued light through overcast yesterday morning when this image was created.

Nikon D300s, 600VR, TC14EII, ISO 800, f7.1, 1/80, CW metering,, Near Uni WB preset, Flat tone curve, =2 EV compensation applied.

[Bill Dix]

Excellent image, Jim. What a wonderful opportunity, and you took every advantage of it. Super low angle, great eye contact, all the techs look spot on. Congrats! Don't know how large a crop this was, but I might be tempted to take just a tiny bit off all around. Or maybe not.

[Jim Fenton]

Bill...

I did try tighter crops but I liked this...perhaps because as I photographed it, the bird was alone on a large expanse of beach and I kinda liked keeping that aspect.

[Marina Scarr]

I am really liking this one, Jim, just as you have presented it. I love the pastely look to it and the way the raptor is staring you down. I would be very pleased with this one!

[allanrube]

I liked the very low angle on this one. Was it up on a small mound or did you have the tripod totally splayed?

[William Wrobel]

Jim,
Excellent image. I think the crop you presented works well capturing the scene "as-is" with the falcon out there all alone at Sandy Point (after scaring all the shorebirds away). Pretty great opportunity with him sitting there for such a long time enjoying his meal. Did any of the images of him with his wings spread come out? (I was there photographing the falcon next to you. Nice to meet you!)

[Daniel Cadieux]

Amazing opportunity Jim, and well taken advantage of!! Great comp, and the straight-down-the-barrel stare is precious. I'm not used to seeing these guys so blue, but rather a more "slate-ish" colour...perhaps the soft lighting brought out those blues.

[Jim Fenton]

Allan......
Bird was on the flat. Tripod was totally splayed and I was laying on my gut for this one

[Jim Fenton]

Hi william ( Bill or William?)

Nice to meet you as well even though we didnt get to chat, at least we got to share this experience :)

[Jim Fenton]

Daniel..
Absolutely. The prettiest male Peregrine I have seen and I think the subdued lighting had a lot to do with helping preserve the real coloration.

[dankearl]

What a great opportunity and you made the most if it.
I think the color is really nice, the pose and the DOF is perfect.

[Mike Milicia]

Very nice, Jim! Great stare, lovely setting, and love that low angle!

[Mital Patel]

Astonishing unique capture of this fastest. Loved the way you got it on this beautiful clean beach. Lucky enough... Well take on given opportunity and i personally loved it all the way being seen and shot on the beach.

[arash_hazeghi]

very nice look and low angle, great looking bird. If you have another shot with the other leg visible maybe it's worth using it to clone out the band in this one.
Great

[Grace Scalzo]

A beauty Jim. Love the colors....yellow on face and feet really pop. Great op and you capitalized.

[Kaustubh Deshpande]

Jim, loved the stare and all the soft colors. low angle of course is great. although that got the transition line behind the head, the transition is smooth enough. details great and I like the space all around.