A refugee from the storm.
1/800, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
Even though I took this photo in 2011 I remember the bird and the circumstances as if it was yesterday. After a morning of photographing birds at Farmington Bay WMA I’d decided to head for home, in part because of a fast approaching storm.
Just as I was about to exit the refuge fierce winds similar to those of a microburst struck a thick grove of trees and we spotted this male American Kestrel dive close to the ground in the middle of them in an obvious attempt to escape the wind’s fury. When I finally found an angle where I could clearly see him through all the trees and brush he was hunkered down and side lit on an old stump only a few inches off the ground.
It was tough shooting. The wind was howling and he was strongly side lit so with his back to me I could only rarely get light on his face or in his eye. This is one of the few shots where I managed to get at least some of both in the moving, dappled light.
Strong side light like this may or may not appeal to most viewers but in this situation I like it. Maybe that’s partly because it reminds me of the fierce but vulnerable little falcon who’d met more than his match in the gale force winds and found refuge in a spot that was extremely challenging photographically and I still managed to get some photos I like.
I’ve said it before, to me degree of difficulty matters.
Ron
Note: The bird’s colors in this photo might seem pretty intense so I want to make it clear that I made no color adjustments such as increasing saturation during processing. All I did was crop, sharpen, make a minor exposure adjustment and add my copyright watermark.
The photo is stunning – almost like a painting.
Beautiful shot. One of my favorites!
Good to know, Thanks, Jean.
Gosh, that’s gorgeous. The saturation of the colors could be due to how colors are altered by storm clouds, or the edges of clouds affecting the suns rays. I’ve noticed amazing changes in color saturation and hue on the Great Plains when a massive storm rolls in. What time of year was it?
Thanks, Nina. I believe it was early February.
I think he’s looking at you as if to say, “Did you see that!?!”
You both accomplished great things with a high DoD — you got this wonderful photo showing the Kestrel’s beautiful colors and he stuck the landing! Even the Russian judge will have to give you both perfect 10s!
Thanks, Marty. These days I don’t want any favors from the Russians. Don’t want to have anything in common with you know who…
😂😂😂
Gorgeous photo!
Thanks, Stephanie.
A very memorable (if unpleasant) event and a very memorable photo. What a beauty that little falcon is, and this image most definitely does him (and his species) justice. I really appreciate how all the elements — light, color, pose, perch — combined to make it so very attractive. ♥️
Chris, it was memorable for me for several reasons – including the wind, the obviously stressed kestrel and some images that I like. But the wind really stands out.
We run out of superlatives for your photos. Thanks not only for sharing them for our delight, but also for our learning.
Much appreciated, Kent.
The way the shadow and light reflect contrasting colors is mesmerizing. Slate and rufous on the bright side, blues and dark brown on the shaded side. The white edges of the primaries snd retrices. And a face shot to boot. What a score.
Glad you like it, Lyle. I had to tone down some of the whites you mention but I think they look pretty good here.
Simply beautiful.
Again.
Thank you.
Thank you, EC.
Gorgeous “painterly” effect – love it!
Thanks, Burrdoo.
Wonderful capture. It’s as if he is saying to you, “Hey you hooman! I’m watching you!”
Sybil, I’m not sure what/who he trusted less – me or the wind.
I think it is a wonderful photo! What a beautiful bird – love the dramatic side lighting!
Glad you like it, Joanne. Thanks.
There is so much to admire in this photo: the difficult shooting circumstances, the blend of colors and the interesting side lighting. Love the perch! The lighting on the angled log compliments the Kestrels feathers perfectly!
Thanks very much, Kathleen.
I love how the tail colors just pop!
Thanks, Arwen.
I LOVE this photo! It all just fits – light on one side yet the Kestrel shows clearly and stands out from the background. 😍 Those storms, sudden or otherwise, can send things (including humans) scrambling……
Judy, those winds hit fast. And hard. I don’t blame the kestrel for tucking tail and running for cover.
How not to be captivated by such beauty in a bird of prey! In front of so many colors and patterns on its plumage! This photo is great, Ron, because despite a well loaded bokeh, the star bird stands out very well.
I agree, Laval. Male kestrels in particular can make any photographer look good.
Do like that photo! The colors here are great; the ‘darkness’ of the background and log makes for an attractive setting. I am seeing a lot of these guys sitting out on roadside wires as I’m driving about. Yesterday one was perched atop a spruce with his prey well clutched; he had is back to me so I thought perhaps I could ease up a bit closer but no luck…the crunch of the snow alerted him and off he went after the appropriate flick of the tail!
Thanks, Kathy. That crunching (or squeaking) snow under our tires can be aggravating.
That really is a tough degree of difficulty. Kudos for even sticking around to get a shot in that weather. My favorite little falcons are indeed tough. They are the Marines of our feathered friends.
Yesterday afternoon I got some good take off shots of one of ours, and as you know, that is not an easy task. Sometimes with a Kestrel you have to wait and wait and wait and then finally they explode with almost no warning, but I hung in there and got it.
Tiny Marines but still Marines. Congrats on your kestrel success, Everett.