Grey kestrel

<< Previous Next >>
Grey kestrel
Photo Information
Copyright: Zeno Swijtink (Zeno) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 489 W: 0 N: 935] (7943)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-02-03
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D80, Tamron 200-500 mm.
Exposure: f/9.0, 1/2000 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): CeltickRanger's favorite Bird of Prey photos, Birds of Prey- RAPTORS (III), Falcons - II chapter [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-02-19 7:15
Viewed: 615
Points: 48
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
I spotted this grey kestrel in Bijilo. This is a nature reserve in the Gambia. The Grey kestrel is an African bird of prey belonging to the falcon family Falconidae. Its closest relatives are the banded kestrel and Dickinson's Kestrel and the three are sometimes placed in the subgenus Dissodectus.
Its a fairly small, stocky kestrel with a large, flat-topped head and fairly short wings that don't reah past the tip of the tail when at rest. It is 28-33 cm long with a wingspan of 58-72 cm and a weight of up to 300 grams. The female is 4-11 % larger and 5-11% heavier than the male. The plumage of the adult is uniformly dark grey apart from darker wingtips, faint dark streaking on the body and slightly barred flight feathers. The feet and cere are yellow and there is bare yellow skin around the eye.
It inhabits savanas, open woodland and forest clearings. It favours areas with palm trees, especially near water. It often perches on exposed branches, telegraph poles and wires.

Alex99, CeltickRanger, NinaM, nglen, boreocypriensis, vanderschelden, Islander_, angela926, darwin, SelenE has marked this note useful
Only registered TrekNature members may rate photo notes.
Add Critique [Critiquing Guidelines] 
Only registered TrekNature members may write critiques.
Discussions
None
You must be logged in to start a discussion.

Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • Alex99 Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2889 W: 145 N: 4191] (13549)
  • [2008-02-19 7:30]

Hi Zeno.
Terrific composition created by amazing bird and so wonderful stump. I like all in this picture. Great reproduction of both objects, superb sharpness, exactness of the shapes and curves. Lighting and colours are stunning too. Bravo. Perfect work.
Alexei.

hello Zeno

superb shot of this Kestrel with the excellent luminosity of the image,
excellent sharpness and details and that proud pose of the Kestrel,
lovelly catch-light at the eye, excellemt POV and vertical framing, TFS

Asbed

Zeno,

Beautiful image of this hawk,
Those eyes,
Great, great image,

fototab

Oh my! This is gorgeous. It is such a perfect pose and setting that one could almost think it was a taxidermy museum display with a stuffed bird on a lovely sculpted branch!!!... a great capture. Couldn't be nicer.

TFS
Evelynn ; )

  • Great 
  • NinaM Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 533 W: 0 N: 1265] (4163)
  • [2008-02-19 9:25]

What a beauty, it's so very earthy by the feathers' colour. The branch where it is perched accentuates the earthy effect of the colours with all the twists and roughened pattern found on it. Excellent picture Zeno, with a perfect background to show this beautiful bird unknown to me. Thank you!

Francine

  • Great 
  • Arjun Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 279 W: 2 N: 684] (3060)
  • [2008-02-19 9:29]

hi zeno,
wow....
this is a brilliant picture...very sharp details,and great composition...catchlight seen is mazing,
TFS

  • Great 
  • kjpweb Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 367 W: 86 N: 1084] (4788)
  • [2008-02-19 10:28]

Very good portrait. Tack sharp and shot in great light! Bravo! Cheers, Klaus

  • Great 
  • jesst Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 347 W: 0 N: 160] (1990)
  • [2008-02-19 10:38]

Very good composition and wonderful bird's portrait. Amazing detail and sharpness, perfect exposure. TFS

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1818 W: 2 N: 4668] (17604)
  • [2008-02-19 11:00]

Hi Zeno . This is a excellent close up of the Grey Kestrel. Such good detail and natural colours. you have used the light so well in the eye.a nice POV/DOF. well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1024 W: 57 N: 2026] (6793)
  • [2008-02-19 11:36]

Hallo Zeno,
Nog zo'n beauty uit Gambia. Prachtig heldere kleuren en perfecte scherpte in deze grijze Torenvalk. Fantastische houding. De boomstronk mag er trouwens ook zijn. Erg mooi allemaal.
Als roofvogelliefhebber ben ik erg jaloers op dit soort foto's.
Groet,
Peter

  • Great 
  • viv Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 307 W: 3 N: 613] (3034)
  • [2008-02-19 12:22]

Hoi Zeno,
Wat een super shot van deze valk, de houding, de ogen de scherpte en dan natuurlijk niet te vergeten de compositie. Gewoon super.
Vivian

That's it, Zeno.
Perfecte plaat!
Gefeliciteerd!
Annick

Hi Zeno,

Good sharp with beautiful colours.
Great shot.

Regards Gert

Hi Zeno,

Very good portrait of this small bird of prey! Nice composition and colors, good pose and POV! Thank you,

Eugene

  • Great 
  • lizzie Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 214 W: 0 N: 635] (2843)
  • [2008-02-19 14:26]

Hi Zeno,

I really like the vertical crop here, it gives so much power to this grey kestrel. it looks so dominant perched on the branch. Beauatiful natural colours with a superb light in the eye. Very well done!

Lise

very nice capture .the colors are beautiful and great sharpness.wonderful job!

Hello Zeno,
That is a truly outstanding shot,excellent composition and point of view, fantastic sharpness and depth of field, superb colors and details, Great regal pose and wonderful facial expression. You captured this bird perfectly!
Angela

What a beautiful capture. The plain BG gives the image a 3-D effect. The detail is also superb.
Mike

Hello Zeno,

A perfect shot of this grey kestrel friend! with excellent sharpness, details and vivid and clear colours. The BG is amazing.
TFS.
Cheers,

Bayram

Hi Zeno
Wonderful capture
Superb composition
Fine sharpness and detail
Great catchlite
tfs jon

Superbe composition, détails impressionnants et couleurs magnifiques.
Bravo
Marie

Hi Zeno,

This is a beautiful shot with geat detail, colours and pov. The bird is absolutely stunning - I love the colours and the pose. Thanks for sharing.

Mike

  • Great 
  • SelenE Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2301 W: 58 N: 4025] (13156)
  • [2008-02-21 1:27]

Hi Zeno,
Very nice capture of this grey kestrel. Light, composition, focus, sharpness and POV are very good. TFS
Best wishes,
Selen

  • Great 
  • fthsm Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 141 W: 50 N: 354] (2130)
  • [2008-02-24 0:39]

Another beauty with a nice pose. Sharpness and light is amazing. TFS

Calibration Check
















0123456789ABCDEF