Last Ones of This Guy, I promise

[FDCPR]

I went back to the area today to photograph some different birds I had spotted at a distance. I was hoping to get close shots so I could get a positive ID on those birds. Ran into a problem by the name of American Kestrel and spent most of my time on him. I promise these will be the last ones I show here, but I just think this bird is so beautiful I have to show him one last time. Hope you enjoy these, if you're tired of them just close the page and move on to another post, I can understand.

Here is a view of his back before he noticed me.



Several steps closer to him and a little turn to give me a look.



Right after this shot he flew away, but landed about a hundred yards away. The sun angle changed as he now has the setting sun at his back and a lake behind him. So these are the high key versions.



And a little different angle.

[Fred flyfisher]

Fred, these are marvelous captures of a truly magnificent Raptor. Nice catch buddy!

[Chewys Dad]

Georgeous shot Fred! I really like the second one! What a Great pose and the lighting is much better than the back lit versions. All are very good though, your focus is right on my Friend!
Thanks for Sharing these
Michael.

[Vinam]

Love the whole series.. what a great find and you got quite a few really nice shots.. I love the colors and feather details on the back shot .. and your high key shots are wonderful, no loss in color tones .. well done Fred

Vin

[FDCPR]

Originally Posted by Fred flyfisher

Fred, these are marvelous captures of a truly magnificent Raptor. Nice catch buddy!

Thanks Fred, I had a lot of fun with this guy.

Originally Posted by Chewys Dad

Georgeous shot Fred! I really like the second one! What a Great pose and the lighting is much better than the back lit versions. All are very good though, your focus is right on my Friend!
Thanks for Sharing these
Michael.

I agree Michael on the back shots, he does look great there. The back lit shots I like mainly because they are difficult and I've learned how to do it. I've read many sources that said to walk away and not shoot in those conditions, I knew there had to be a way to do it and I figured it out on my own.

Originally Posted by Vinam

Love the whole series.. what a great find and you got quite a few really nice shots.. I love the colors and feather details on the back shot .. and your high key shots are wonderful, no loss in color tones .. well done Fred

Vin

Thanks Vin, I got a lot of nice shots as in over 400 in the two times I spotted him. I still haven't even looked at everything from today, I hope when I do I find even better ones as at least one of these is going on the wall. I could keep on shooting him too as I really like the look of this guy.

[pjflan7]

beautiful shots all but that third would fit in a audubon book.....The bright background almost produces that studio feel where all focus is on the subject without any distracting background....beautifully done

[windrider86]

How could we ever get tired of seeing something so beautiful?

[shmelly]

No way could I get sick of seeing this fellow, maybe a bit jealous, but never tired of him. You have done such a good job capturing him, so well exposed and focused. I can only achieve that on things that don't move.

[lindyannajones]

Too many Kestrals are never enough. Your last two photo with this high key effect remind me so much of Audabon prints. They have a painterly effect that allows you to focus on the great detail like his polka dot breast (probably not an official term ) That first photo is worth a long gaze in the original size on Flickr. Wonderful photos!

[Angelb]

These are truly gorgeous shots, I never get tired of seeing these amazing birds. You have done a fabulous job at capturing him in different poses. Nice clear focus.