Occasionally during take-off an American Kestrel will put on a show of its considerable acrobatic skills but it happens so fast with these little falcons that many of us don’t really appreciate the coordination and skill involved. Yesterday morning I got one shot that I think demonstrates it pretty well.
This female was perched far enough above me that I almost didn’t even point my lens her way (I don’t like steep angles in my bird photography) but I thought I might get something interesting at take-off so I took a chance. It was still so early in the morning that light was low and the highest shutter speed I could manage was 1/2500 at ISO 800 for those incredibly fast wings.
She was facing to my right and I assumed that would be her direction of take-off but she fooled me. At the last minute she looked over her shoulder and in the very next frame…
1/2500, f/5.6, ISO 800, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in, 2 twigs poking into frame removed
she twisted and turned as she launched to my left. I was very lucky to keep her in frame since in anticipation I had allowed room for her in the opposite direction.
I find myself slightly mesmerized by this frozen moment in time and the athletic ability required for such a dynamic take-off. I notice the angle of her tail, the curving sweep of her wings and her twisted legs as her body rotated before her perched feet could do the same. My eye also picks up the slightly extended position of the alulae and the cupped (concave) shape of the underside of both wings, front to back.
Shots like this are one of the reasons I tend to use higher shutter speeds than many other bird photographers. At 1/2500 I barely had enough SS to almost freeze the wings (I’d have preferred 1/3200 for this small raptor) and I was lucky that the plane of the wings was parallel to me with the narrow depth of field at f/5.6.
It may not be a great shot aesthetically but I enjoy seeing this kind of action frozen in time.
Ron
WOW!
Tiny dancer 🙂
Aerial ballet… practicing for the Winter Olympics free-skating finals? …Looks like a sure winner to me, even in the eyes of pssibly biased judges….
Thanks to all who have commented, especially during this busy holiday week. I hope everyone has a wonderful day tomorrow with family and friends and for those who are traveling – BE SAFE!
It is amazing what positions birds are able to put themselves into. I can’t make up my mind as to whether the take off photo hints at ballet or a prima donna about to bow to the applause yet again, but either way a great capture!
What an amazing capture. My jealous, klutzy self is in awe – at the acrobatics and at your skill.
Love the takeoff!
Yes, as stated looks like she is a figure skater about to jump into a Triple Lutz(?) or a talented ballerina. Thanks for another tremendous shot. Have a safe, great Thanksgiving!!
Absolutely stunning shot! Her takeoff position reminds me of a figure skater going into a jump. Having watched a couple of young kestrels playing on air currents when they were first flying, I appreciate their acrobatic abilities. It’s wonderful that you were able to capture this move with your camera. Yet again a kestrel has made my day…
How wonderful Ron! Thanks so much for sharing!
Charlotte
What a beautiful moment you captured in this lovely kestrel. The moment I saw the 2nd photo of her about to take flight, I paused my breath. It was that stunning! Thank you Ron for being so dedicated at being passionate about your photography! I really do appreciate you for it!
Hi Ron, my first reaction was that even the East German judge would have given her a 10. Nice! I hope you have a Happy Thanksgiving, and thanks for all the sharing you do,throughout the year!
Wow! For my taste, I’m not sure you can get a more aesthetically pleasing image. So dynamic, such strength and grace,…and I love the hint of motion blur. Wow!
Looks like she’s about to dance. Lovely!
A hint of blur on the wings merely hints at the movement, which I personally prefer, especially in a case like this. It lens some dynamism to the whole effect, I think.
You make a valid point about slightly blurred wings at take-off, Paul.
Ron, in the first shot you captured her idea of take off with the intensity in her eye like she saw something that concerned her. Then a little rouse of feathers. And that wonderful shot of first flight with nothing clipped. Imagine if human animals tried to get up from sitting like that. We would be on our backsides!
Thanks very much, Diana.