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Fast flyer in morning light


Fast flyer in morning light
Photo Information
Copyright: Bengt Falke (falke) Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 156 W: 17 N: 458] (1682)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-10-19
Categories: Birds
Camera: Canon 40 D, Canon 300/4 L IS USM + EF 1.4 ext. II
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/4096 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Birds in Flight [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-10-20 12:33
Viewed: 1401
Points: 16
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Intro:
Yesterday we had 5 magical minutes! We were staying the night at the bird reserve outside the small town of Varberg. From the kitchen window there is this spectacular view over the wetland. While we were eating our breakfast we saw some disturbance among the birds there and suddenly we spotted this Peregrine Falcon flying at a fast pace towards us. Just outside the window it tried to catch a crow but missed. It continued for almost 5 minutes. After a few moments I woke up, grabbed the camera and ran outside. I guess it´s because a juvenile needs more exercise, an adult would not waste all that energy. My luck was the slow speed of this newbie hunter, otherwise I would not stand a chance to get a photo like this.

Minutes before this we also saw a Gyrfalcon hunting at a distance. A truly magic morning....

Geographic info:
This is from the bird reserve close to Getterön just outside of the small town Varberg on the west coast of Sweden.

Technical information:
Canon 300/f4 lens and a 1,4 extender on a my Canon 40D body. I took this without a stand and had to use ISO=800 to be able to get acceptable shutter speed for tis fast bird. It´s in rawformat and I used Adobe Lightroom for some adjustments before the final edit in Photoshop CS3.

Just crop, white balance and a bit hue
Noise reduction with Noiseware professional
Sharpening with Photokit capture sharpener

About the specie:
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia:

The Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), also known simply as the Peregrine and historically as the "Duck Hawk" in North America, is a cosmopolitan bird of prey in the family Falconidae. It is a large, crow-sized falcon, with a blue-gray back, barred white underparts, and a black head and "moustache". It has the ability to reach speeds over 322 km/h (200 mph), making it the fastest animal in the world.

The Peregrine Falcon has a body length of 34–50 cm (13–20 in) and a wingspan of around 80–120 cm (31–47 in). The male and female have similar markings and plumage, but as in many birds of prey the Peregrine Falcon displays marked reverse sexual dimorphism in size, with the female measuring up to 30 percent larger than the male. Males weigh 440–750 g, and the noticeably larger females weigh 910–1500 g.
ellis49, jaycee, pekkavalo1, Argus, nglen has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2865 W: 34 N: 8488] (31708)
  • [2008-10-20 12:36]

Hi Bengt. This is a first class capture of this amazing bird which your inflight shot is first class. such warm colours and fine detail. i enjoyed reading your notes . well done TFS.
Nick..

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3750 W: 187 N: 11171] (34499)
  • [2008-10-20 12:39]

Hello Bengt,
Well done, a great in-flight capture of a female Peregrine Falcon taken with superb sharpness in fine lighting and from a great POV.
We missed Getterön this year: next year perhaps.
TFS this beauty,
Best regards,
Ivan

Hi Bengt,
Excellent capture of this magnificant Falcon. Good POV, sharp details, good lighting, simply just perfect picture.
TFS
Pekka

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2493 W: 11 N: 6885] (21912)
  • [2008-10-20 16:41]

Hi Bengt,

What a fantastic place this bird reserve must be! How could you waste time sleeping? A magnificent capture of this Peregrine Falcon. It is perfect with beautiful natural colors and marvelous details. The position of the bird is wonderful showing off his wings and tail feathers. A perfect view of the face - even a sparkle in his eye.

Jane

Hej Bengt,
a great in-flight of the Pilgrimsfalk, it could not been easy as they are really fast. The sharpness and DOF are great, so are the exposure, I like the compo too.
Mycket bra gjort.
/Gert

Hi Bengt
great picture, great details and great light
wow
tom

Hi Bengt

A great lucky shot of this beautiful young killing machine.
Great composition, light, sharpness and plumage details.

Chris

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2348 W: 92 N: 5361] (17140)
  • [2008-10-21 11:14]

Hello Bengt,
I can fully understand your excitement. I should have react the same.
A great photo in excellent sharpness and details and beautiful natural colours. Perfect exposure. Very good POV and composition.
Regards,
Peter

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