Different Kestrel, horrible light

[FDCPR]

Stopped today to check out the action around the lake, spotted this guy in the trees and started stalking. This is the male American Kestrel, he's a little bigger than the other one I showed several weeks ago.

First shot in just horrible lighting.



Just keep slowly moving closer and closer. Getting ready to fly so I tried changing the camera settings to stop him in flight. Got this instead and missed the flight shot, not real great as too much work to bring it back. He flew away while I was fiddling with the camera.



What was that shadow I just saw? Dang he's in the tree over my head.



Dang it the memory card is full and the others are in the truck, time to call it quits.

[jack russell]

good work, I'm glad you toughed out the light to capture these for us .. thx!

[Dragon]

Nice set Fred ! Love the 3rd one , it's so crisp and clear.
Thanks for sharing.

[kxvet]

These are incredible! Nice job. I always have a problem getting good bird shots...well done!

[CatcherT]

I like em, the lighting is unique not bad!

[shmelly]

Why does it always seem to happen that way? They are still fantastic shots, you must have the patience of a saint.

[Fred flyfisher]

Great play by play Fred. The last one is fantastic. Great work buddy!

[pjflan7]

Beautifully sharp photos...love the 2nd for the pose and the 3rd for the sharp detail of its eyes and color patterns on the breast

[FDCPR]

Originally Posted by jack russell

good work, I'm glad you toughed out the light to capture these for us .. thx!

Thanks JR, I either deal with the harsh light or never shoot as these guys seem to be active at this time of day.

Originally Posted by Dragon

Nice set Fred ! Love the 3rd one , it's so crisp and clear.
Thanks for sharing.

Thanks Dragon, tough lighting but did the best I could.

Originally Posted by kxvet

These are incredible! Nice job. I always have a problem getting good bird shots...well done!

Thanks kxvet, think long lens, perseverance, and lots of luck, then birds come easy.

Originally Posted by CatcherT

I like em, the lighting is unique not bad!

Thanks CatcherT, the light is bright that's for certain but these guys are in the area I am at only during these times of day, so I take what's offered.

Originally Posted by shmelly

Why does it always seem to happen that way? They are still fantastic shots, you must have the patience of a saint.

Thanks shmelly, I have patience in the field chasing birds the rest of the day I have none at all, and for sure don't compare to a saint.

Originally Posted by Fred flyfisher

Great play by play Fred. The last one is fantastic. Great work buddy!

Thanks Fred, I've become hooked on shooting Kestrels, so with some luck I can get better ones. Flight shots still allude me.

Originally Posted by pjflan7

Beautifully sharp photos...love the 2nd for the pose and the 3rd for the sharp detail of its eyes and color patterns on the breast

Thanks Patrick, I love the second shot also, just wished I'd had the camera set correctly, maybe next time I'll nail that shot.

[Chewys Dad]

Great Set Fred! I really like to pose in the 3rd one, you handled the light well. We can't always choose the situation, sometimes you just gotta shoot and figure it out later.
Thanks for sharing these beauties with us
Michael.