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Kestrel
Topic Started: Feb 15 2016, 10:57 PM (1,388 Views)
JaySteel
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Wildlife Photographer.
Hi everyone,
Ever since discovering the local Kestrels at Hall Place in Bexley, I've been trying to get close enough to capture a clear shot. Something that has proved to be extremely difficult to achieve.

On my visit this morning it took me about 20 minutes before I spotted one of the Kestrels. It was the male, and he was being dived at by a pair of large Carrion Crows. The Kestrel managed to use its pace and agility to evade the Crows and it took refuge sitting at the top of a large bush not far from me. From where I was standing I could've tried to take a shot but the sun was behind the Kestrel so he would've been silhouetted against the bright sky. Besides, he was a little too far away for my 300mm lens and he had already spotted me so there wasn't much change of getting closer without spooking him.

I decided that I would try and get round the back of him so he'd have the sun shining on him. That way I might be able to capture a shot that would show off his beautiful colours. I took the long walk around hoping that he wouldn't notice me. When I finally came around behind him I was in luck. The sun was still shining and he had his back to me. Again I thought about taking the shot but I was still a little too far away to get the quality of photo that I was after.
I've always said that I'd rather have one great shot than 1000 average shots. And I already have average shots of a Kestrel. So with this in mind I decided to risk everything and started to walk very slowly, and very softly towards him.

It seemed to take forever and I couldn't believe my good fortune when I'd managed to get to within about 15-20 feet of him without making a sound and without him noticing. I was so excited when I got within range that I was worried I wouldn't be able to keep my hands steady enough to get a sharp photo. I slowly raised my camera and looked through the viewfinder. The light was great. The sun was still shining down on his back despite the large number of quickly gathering clouds in the sky. And then as I pressed the shutter release button and took my first shot of the Kestrel's back, he heard me! His gaze that had been fixed on the troublesome crows some distance in front of him suddenly turned to evaluate the new danger from behind. I was able to shoot off a few quick shots before he took to the sky and flew off at great speed up into the trees at the other end of the field. My heart was in my mouth as I rapidly reviewed the shots that I had just taken. There were a couple of slightly blurred images and then the one I had hoped for. A well lit and pin sharp image, with a clean background and the subject filling enough of the frame to require only minimal cropping. I'd finally caught my shot of the wild Kestrel showing the real beauty of this magnificent bird of prey in its wild and natural habitat. I was so excited! I couldn't wait to get home and process the RAW image on my PC.

I actually processed this image three times on my PC until I was satisfied that I had gotten the very best detail out of the RAW file. If I was being overly critical then I would mention that his legs and talons are hidden by the branches of the bush but still I'm incredibly pleased with it. I hope you like it . . .


Posted Image


Larger image on my website at the top of this page:
http://www.jasonsteelwildlifephotography.yolasite.com/birds.php
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Kreacha
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Kestrel
What an amazing photo :wow: Your perseverance certainly paid off! :)
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JaySteel
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Wildlife Photographer.
Thanks Kreacha. I'm really pleased to have caught this one today.
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dizzylizzy
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[div style='visibility: hidden']test[/div]
That's one of the loveliest photos of a resting Kestrel I've ever seen Jay... beautiful... :Cool:


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JaySteel
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Wildlife Photographer.
Thanks very much Dizzy. Now if I can get a similar shot of the Sparrowhawk that occasionally visits Hall PLace then I will be a very happy bunny. The Kestrels can be seen most days down there and it has still proven extremely difficult to get close enough for a shot like this. So the occasional Sparrowhawk visitor may prove to be an challenge too far. But I am a patient (stubborn and determined) man. lol
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dizzylizzy
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[div style='visibility: hidden']test[/div]
As a wildlife artist Jay, I know how you feel... patience is a big factor with any piece of work! It would be great to see you capture the big staring yellow eyes of the Sparrow Hawk... I would certainly look forward to seeing that!


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Night Owl
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:wow1: What a stunning shot! you'r patience definitely paid off there Jay :cool1:
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JaySteel
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Wildlife Photographer.
Thanks Night Owl.
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Jane
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I can just imagine your excitement, trying not to scare him off or get camera shake in the process :lol:

Superb result! :clap4:
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AnnB
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Stunning image Jay, well done!
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JaySteel
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Wildlife Photographer.
Thank you both. The feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction I get when I achieve one of my photographic goals is very rewarding. But unfortunately that feeling is very short lived. I woke up this morning and that feeling of inner peace has gone and once again my head is now full of thoughts about how to take my next photograph!
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feedyourhedgehog
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What a great capture Jason...your patience certainly paid off :cool:
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celticsparrow-Jan
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Very well done Jay that is a fantastic photo of the Kestrel.
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Pam M
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[div style='visibility: hidden']test[/div]
:wow: What a stunning photo, it`s great to have challenges & looking forward to seeing the results of your next one :Cool:
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JaySteel
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Wildlife Photographer.
Thanks everyone. Here's a closer crop showing the detail in the Kestrel.

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JaySteel
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Wildlife Photographer.
Here are a couple more shots from yesterday. These are both very heavily cropped images but I have managed to capture shots of both the female and the male Kestrel photographed from the same position. It is now easy to see the considerable difference in appearance of the sexes of this species. Until yesterday I couldn't easily tell them apart but now the differences are obvious. The female is both bigger and bulkier with a more muscular appearance. She has horizontal lined patterns or bars on her back as oppose to his spotted back. He has a grey / blue head as oppose to her head which is the same colour as her back. His feathers lay flatter on his head. The feathers on the top of her head stand up slightly giving her head more of an eagle shape than his. Having checked on the RSPB website it seems that my observations are correct and typical of the difference between the sexes of the Kestrel. I'm learning something every day!

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Pam M
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[div style='visibility: hidden']test[/div]
Still brilliant even if heavily cropped, well done :wave:
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JaySteel
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Wildlife Photographer.
Thanks Pam. Here's another heavily cropped image showing how the Kestrel survives the winter. During the warmer months the Kestrel's preferred prey would be small mammals like voles and mice. In towns and parks these small mammals are not so abundant so the Kestrel may take small birds if the opportunity presents itself. However during the colder months when food supplies are very limited the Kestrel will readily forage for worms and insects on the ground.

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JaySteel
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Wildlife Photographer.
And another couple of heavily cropped images.
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feedyourhedgehog
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Such a stunning bird and you've captured them so well Jason :encore:
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