This male stretched every limb he possibly could simultaneously which I thought resulted in an awkward but endearing pose. The photo was taken three years ago at Farmington Bay WMA.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
At the outset I’ll admit I don’t like the clutter of all those twigs and branches, especially the one directly behind his head. But I do love the pose as he stretched both wings, his tail and his left foot simultaneously. In order to maintain his balance with one foot raised he had to lean to his right which for me completes the asymmetry of the entire image, including but not limited to the pose.
He maintained eye contact with me throughout the entire stretch which I like. In other photos his left foot was in shade but I think the pose is more dramatic with that foot well-lit like this.
I’m excited about two things this morning. We finally have a good weather pattern so we should have good light for much of the next week or so. Since I haven’t been out shooting for 14 days now I’m chomping at the bit to get out there, assuming the last of the clouds clear off in time.
And I have a sparkling clean pickup to drive! Because of my shooting style I’m constantly driving on muddy or dusty dirt roads with some of my window’s down and for a variety of reasons it hasn’t been cleaned or washed for over a year. It was so filthy inside and out I was fearful that weeds might start growing on my dash (no hyperbole there folks). I’ve been wanting to have it detailed for many months but the inconvenience of leaving it somewhere all day while they worked on it and then driving it home during the rush hour put me off. I won’t drive in the rush hour come hell or high water!.
But by chance I found a young man, Dalyn Banagas (actually the son of my niece), who has his own detailing business and he comes to you rather than vice versa. Dalyn spent the entire day detailing my pickup in my driveway (he has all his own equipment). He worked his tail off but the end result was a sparkling clean pickup, inside and out. My four year old pickup with 125,000 tough miles on it now looks like I just drove it off of the showroom floor.
But paradoxically if the roads are still muddy after our recent storms my squeaky clean pickup won’t last long, at least on the outside.
Ron
This pose reminds me of an ambassador kestral, Aldo, who had come to rehab with only one wing. This is the way he always stretched, leaning into the side without a wing. He was a great bird to introduce folks to raptors and wildlife rehab work.
Always enjoy seeing Kestrels.
I saw your truck and think that it would be hard for it to look dusty, since it is the color of dust. Glad the son of your niece rescued you from plants growing to block your view of the road!! I, and I suspect others, do not you to be in danger as we love to see your photos and hear your enlightening narrative daily. You are adored, probably more than you realize, dear Teacher.
Thank you Ron for delivering such a wealth of information on a daily basis.
A gorgeous photo of this Kestrel
Thank you, Sheia.
Great shot Ron..as I’ve stated before, Kestrels are one of my favorite birds,and I’m glad you left the branches in…I’m not a big fan of Photoshop…to me it is so much more natural..Thanks again
Thanks, Steve. I’m actually a big fan of PS, but I’m not a fan of those who abuse it – especially in nature photography.
What a comical pose. Looks like he’s performing a vaudeville routine. Hope the weather and your recent bout with the nosocomial infection allow you to enjoy your spruced up pickup and some photography.
Well the weather came through for me this morning, Lyle. One out of two isn’t bad…
I remember one time going to visit my grandparents on their ranch on the US/Canadian border in Washington State. This was near Tonasket. We (two of my brothers and I) needed a vehicle to run back and forth to the lake so we got permission to use my grandfather’s old International jeep (I think that is what it was). Because our new wives would be riding with us, we decided to clean it out. After scraping out a lot of virtually rock hardened dirt we eventually got out the hose and sprayed out the inside. This took several hours. We found all sorts of things in there we probably weren’t supposed to see (like cigarette butts – my grandfather had been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ (not supposed to say Mormon anymore), but he hadn’t attended for many years. He smoked (which is against the Church’s rules) but didn’t want us grandkids to know so he tried to keep it hidden). I loved driving that old “Farm Truck” and, to this day, when I visit a farm and get into a dirty farm truck, I get little warm fuzzies.
I feel EXACTLY the same way about old farm trucks, Brad. I learned to drive in one (49 Ford).
I agree that those twigs are annoying, BUT it’s a Kestrel and the pose is wonderful. When it’s a Kestrel, that’s pretty much all you need – at least to make me happy. Every time I see one I am struck anew by their beauty. Thanks for starting my day with a smile. And enjoy that clean truck!
“When it’s a Kestrel, that’s pretty much all you need”
I like the way you put that, Susan.
Beautiful capture! Just have to love these little ‘harlequins’ of the falcon family…their faces are endearing. I know what you mean about the ‘background clutter’ but it makes for a far better photo than the typical roadside wire I seem to catch them on. We are supposed to be in for a change in the weather pattern too. Getting a little stir-crazy here! I agree there is something about driving a clean vehicle. After 200,000+ miles on my Subaru I have a new one but it is white and you know with the type of roads we travel…😧
Thanks, Kathy. I have 2 vehicle colors I refuse to buy – black and white (pink and purple are a given…).
Good morning Ron – hope the meds are working and you are feeling better. That is a beautiful photo, and I love natural photos like this. So many who are skilled at Photoshop would have removed most of those branches. Outstanding photo of my favorite raptor. These little guys have beauty and courage.
Everett Sanborn
Prescott AZ
Thanks, Everett. I wouldn’t even consider removing those branches and yes, I do have the skills to do it (though it doesn’t take much).
The bird looks like he’s ready to “Shuffle off to Buffalo.” 😉
How ’bout a shot of the squeaky clean Ronmobile?
Ha, it’s still dark, Marty. Maybe “down the road”…
I agree, cute. Great pose!
I’m gone for an overnight to an induction.
It’s cloudy and rainy anyway, good time to get away.
And our clouds haven’t cleared up yet and the weather radar’s all screwed up. I really don’t know what’s going on out there because it’s still dark!
REALLY cut pose from the Kestrel! 🙂 Really caught all the colors and patterns on it’s underside. 🙂 Sounds like a “farm truck” to me……;) Sometimes cleaning them up is a total waste of time BUT has to be done now and then! Hope it lasts a day or 2 anyway and you have good shooting today…….
Thanks, Judy. Farm truck indeed! Since winter’s coming on dusty roads and a dirty interior shouldn’t be a problem for a while but no guarantees on the outside…