Thread: This AMERICAN KESTREL is doing what she needs to do

As it is "Raptor Month" here on this fine forum, I am presenting another look at my favorite female kestrel, seen here enjoying a postprandial stretch. I'm rather happy with this pic but would love to ask your opinion about the branches on the bottom left...obviously they could be easily disappeared, and I wonder if you might think this would be of help or hinderance to the image? Anyhow, other than a crop and a minor levels adjustment, the image is "as is" and was taken with a Canon 7D and 200mm 2.8 lens + 1.4. iso500, 1/1000, f4. Many thanks for having a look, and obviously I welcome any and all comments even, for example, this one: "Your photograph is disgusting and what the **** kind of name is Jack Breakfast anyhow?"

A beautiful bird, but by the bright background of the bird is not so good effect.

A most legitimate concern, of course. I've done the world's quickest & sloppiest cloning job here, and wonder if anyone might take a minute to look at the repost...I don't expect an image like this to be popular with too many of you, but I'd love to hear which you prefer, and why...many thanks...

I like the stretched wing but I find the bird to be too dark and the shooting angle too steep. I haven't had any luck getting a Kestrel low enough for a good photo yet though, they are tough.

Thanks James, appreciate your FB...would love to hear your thoughts RE branches or no branches...

Doug & Stuart, thanks kindly for the great critique...I've redone the image and will post it here...

For me the second repost is my fav. Very nice kestrel and interesting perch. I am not a super fan of the white BG but I also believe that this could go find as a high key.

Lovely pose for theme and nice capture...I liked the second repost...I am fine with the branches and wish for better HA and not so steep angle. I would crop further to avoid square crop.

Re-did the image for the last time in my life, high-key as suggested by Juan Carlos...I'm also terribly curious as to why a square photograph is an undesirable thing? I've been noticing that a lot on the board, comments about the undesirability of a square photo...anyhow, thanks again, everyone for the help...you've turned a mediocre image into something slightly less mediocre, and for that I am most appreciative!

Thanks Gail...I too wish the head angle was better...thanks also for your input RE square crops...all a matter of taste, indeed...