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American Kestrel


American Kestrel
Photo Information
Copyright: Greg Hume (greghume) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 197 W: 72 N: 471] (1776)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2006-07-01
Categories: Birds
Camera: Panasonic Lumix FZ20, Leica 36-432mm
Exposure: f/3.3, 1/250 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Personal Bird Photos [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2006-07-02 13:16
Viewed: 978
Points: 14
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
American Kestrel, Falco sparverius
 is the most common falcon in North America.
Unlike larger falcons, the "Sparrow Hawk" has adapted to humans and nests even in our largest cities, where it preys chiefly on House Sparrows. In the countryside it takes insects, small birds, and rodents, capturing its prey on the ground rather than in midair like other falcons. The female does most of the incubating and is fed by the male. The male calls as he nears the nest with food; the female flies to him, receives the food, and returns to the nest. After the eggs hatch, the male continues to bring most of the food. The young stay with the adults for a time after fledging, and it is not uncommon to see family parties in late summer.
In winter in many southern parts of the range, female and male American Kestrels use different habitats. The female uses the preferred more open habitat, and the male uses areas with more trees. This situation appears to be the result of the females migrating south first and establishing winter territories. The males then are forced into the less preferred areas.
Taken at the Columbus zoo.
liquidsunshine, loot, mario-roberto, scottevers7, mogens-j, Dando, aido has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

Nice shot Greg,
Good detail, colours and sharpness. exposure and lighting are good. Good POV and composition.

Thanks for posting, have a great week.

  • Great 
  • loot Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5726 W: 605 N: 3416] (9137)
  • [2006-07-02 13:58]

Hi Greg
You have done a great capture here with this in your face close-up. There are even some details of the surrounding environment visible in the eye.
The composition and POV is great with the bird looking over its shoulder at you. The colours are stunning and the details are fine. I do believe you could have pushed the USM a little bit more though. The BG is well removed and OOF and it does well to enhance the kestrel. The exposure was also very well handled as it seems like the bird was sitting in a shady spot, but you managed to bring out some lovely contrasts in those feathers.
Very well done and TFS.
Regards
Loot

Good detail, colours and sharpness.

Hi Greg,
Excellent shot on this American Kestrel. I really like the pose. Beautiful colors and sharp detail. Nice control on the DOF gave a beautiful contrasting OOF backround. Well done!
Scott

Hello Greg

This capture really make a great contribute to a wonderful bird. The f-stop on 3.3 set the bird off very nice still leving a lot of details in the plumage and also a very clear reflection in the eye. The colours look great and vry natural. Very good handling of the light and the composition is very good with the head of the bird out of centre. All over a very nice job.

Mogens

  • Great 
  • Dando Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 643 W: 32 N: 790] (3052)
  • [2006-07-02 18:22]

Hi Greg,
Excellent portrait. Great sharp details with good exposed colours. Also good lighting and POV. Well done and TFS.
Dean.

  • Great 
  • aido Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1097 W: 168 N: 1218] (4046)
  • [2006-07-03 12:21]

Hi Greg,
Excellent shot, great detail and colours, good DOF. I like the framing/composition too, works very well. Great shot.
Regards,
Adrian

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