Kestrel & Prey

[Jonathan Ashton]

Canon 7D Canon 500mm & 1.4TC bean bag ISO 400 1/2000 sec f5.6
This is the same kestrel I posted a couple of days ago. I never thought I would say this but he was too close! I saw the bird land and we drove up in my car very slowly, fully expecting the bird to take off before we got close. She didn't move and I gingerly pointed my camera at her only to find I still had the 1.4TC on. She began to feed so I decided to get the shots as I could and just hoped I could get some in the frame. After she ate her fill I had the temerity to take the 1.4TC off and she still stayed put for some time. I even moved the car back and forth to try to optimise the view point. It was a real buzz to get the images and to know that she had not been disturbed, I felt privileged to watch and photograph at such close quarters.
The lighting was rather directional but hey beggars can't be choosers, I tried to even the lighting as best I could. All C & C welcome.

[Karl Egressy]

Great encunter you had experienced, Jonathan. Really nice picture.

[dankearl]

Pretty great action here Jonathan.
Pretty graphic and real life photo.
The blood and guts are not for the faint hearted,
but it is well done.

[Harshad Barve]

Terrific action shot here , excellent
TFS

[Daniel Cadieux]

A fun predicament to be too close to a bird eh! Raptors tend to be rather approachable when busy consumming food. Neat scene in any case, love the bloody bill and the surpringly clean guts of the prey. Only wish you had had the time to remove the TC before you did for more room for the comp, and I'd try to eliminate the yellow OOF grass blade close to the subject's face. A nice surprise encounter you had...I'm sure you'll remember it for a long time!!

[Stu Bowie]

Great close up Jonathan, with oodles of sharp detail. Eating her meal is a huge bonus. What I tend to do is get off a few shots best I can, and then try and compose the best image by moving around for the best angle and BG. If she flys, so be it, if not, shoot to your hearts content. But you knew that.

[arash_hazeghi]

excellent shows the feeding very well