Eurasian Kestrel focused intent
Eurasian Kestrel mantling food.
Eurasian Kestrel mantling food.
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Jan, 2018Views
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Awards
Action Award
Chatter Award
Legendary Award
Contest Finalist in Animals With Wings Photo Contest
Contest Finalist in Shades Of Brown Project
Contest Finalist in Endangered Species Photo Contest
Community Choice Award
Contest Finalist in Social Exposure Photo Contest Vol 13
Peer Award
Absolute Masterpiece
Top Choice
Magnificent Capture
Superb Composition
Superior Skill
All Star
Outstanding Creativity
Genius
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Behind The Lens
Location
This photo was captured at my home in Western Pennsylvania. Living in the foothills of the Alleghenies, I've enjoyed nature photography since childhood. The Eurasian Kestrel was an exciting new subject for me to shoot.Time
Knowing the sun was close to setting in the heart of the winter, I was motivated to capture several images of this female raptor before the light faded. I was captivated by the lines and color pattern of her feathers against the background. It was a gratifying experience to capture her essence. This photo was taken on Tuesday, January 2, 2018 3:38 PM.Lighting
Relying on the natural lighting worked well with this subject. Her natural colors were emphasized without having to add any additional artificial light sources. Focusing on the facial features, specifically the eyes, caught the kestrels intent focus.Equipment
Wanting the greatest flexibility on angles and distance, I used my Nikon D750 with a Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro lens, without a tripod. This also allowed me to move quickly, to avoid disturbing the Kestrel to the point of flight, yet stay close enough to rouse her feathers. No flash or additional filters were used to capture this image.Inspiration
In the winter season, the available subject material shifts considerably in my region. My usual love of shooting nature and floral subjects leaves me looking for new ideas. Once I started taking photos of the raptor, it was difficult to stop. The opportunities were endless! I alternated between lenses in order to capture her full beauty and personality.Editing
The only post processing modification was a minor cropping on the edge, which eliminated the distraction of the background, in order to fill the frame with the kestrel.In my camera bag
A NIKON D750 body with a Nikon 24-120 VR lens for most shots. I also enjoy the fine detail and close up opportunities of working with my Tamron 90mm f/2.8 Di Macro lens. A new addition to my bag is the Tamron SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2. Looking forward to bringing those distance shots to life and experimenting with this telephoto lens!Feedback
Be prepared to shoot several shots in a short period of time! This is essential when working with live subjects. Capturing the personality and beauty of the raptor can happen with a series of shots. Being able to filter through multiple images when timing and lighting are not an issue is easier than attempting to capture fewer shots with more precision when time constraints are present.
