Yesterday morning I finally found a few interesting birds in good light. I’m presenting this one in two different compositions because I can’t decide which one I prefer.
1/5000, 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
When I first approached the kestrel he was facing me on the perch but he soon demonstrated that he was a skilled multitasker by making more than a 90° turn to his right on the perch at the same time he was stretching both wings and his tail. It’s a trickier maneuver than one might think because he had to move his feet to different places on that snaggly perch during the turn and he was stretching his wings and tail the entire time. He was careful, doing it slowly and deliberately, but he got it done without any slip-ups
I like his concentration on the complex task, the wing position and even the spread tail behind the hanging seed pods because I think that combination creates an interesting visual.
But I’m not so sure about the composition. It’s not bad but the bare twigs to the left don’t do a lot for me and I’d like to see slightly better detail on the little falcon.
So I tried a vertical crop because it loses many of those bare twigs and has better detail on the bird but this version seems a little tight to me so I’m still undecided. I think both compositions have strengths and weaknesses. One of the details I like seeing better in this version is the alula on the left wing but in both versions I really wish those two twigs weren’t directly in front of his face.
In nature and in bird photography, twigs happen.
Ron
PS – I took quite a few interesting shots of this kestrel but didn’t have time to work many of them up for this post so I’ll probably publish a few more of them sometime in the future.
Outstanding shots Ron!
Charlotte
Ron – just back from a few days in nice warm La Quinta. The second one for me. Being a lover and supporter of kestrels I love them both, but the 2nd by a whisker just as for some of the other viewers. I like the vertical crop and the fact that it bring the bird even closer and sharper. The wing is just gorgeous as are the tail feathers. Unfortunately branches and twigs are the enemy of all nature photographers.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
When I woke this morning in my dim room and pulled up your site I thought I was looking at two birds. For a second, the left wing struck me as the head of another bird. Once I came to my senses, I enjoyed both versions, but that wi-i-i-ide tail fanning really impresses in the cropped one.
Ha, you need coffee before you get on the pooter, Lyle!
Wow. And rather a lot of other superlatives.
The second by a whisker for me, but I am very glad to have seen both.
Essentially I want it all.
Nothing wrong with a little greed here at Feathered Photography, EC. 🙂 Thanks.
I’d have to go with the second photo also…for some reason the closer crop seems to emphasize the look of intense concentration on his face…Thanks Ron
So far I think it’s unanimous. Thanks, Steve.
Lovely photos Ron. I’m glad you were able to find good subjects in good light after all the grey you’ve been experiencing. Kestrels are one of my favorites with their exquisite coloring. The vertically cropped photo is the clear favorite for me. The seedpods really add to the visual interest and enhance the bird’s markings in a way that is somewhat lost in the first photo.
Thanks, Julie. Yes, it was nice to have both again – interesting birds and good light.
Love kestrels!! I liked the cropped version since it took my eyes closer! Great work Ron
Thanks, Linda.
Vertical vote, verily! 😋 He’s beautiful! Love the wing positions.
Thank you, Marty.
Most time I prefer a vertical crop IF it works for the photo. This really accentuates the vertical position Mr. Kestrel has assumed. To me the twigs and especially the seed pods add interesting visual interest. The second photo show them in a better proportion for the bird…(not sure if that is the right word but they look better in the second one). Also the amount of sky above the bird’s wing is a better balance for my eyes in the second. I guess it’s all in the eyes of the beholder…😍. Interesting photo!
Thanks for the feedback, Kathy. You make several interesting observations.
I like the 2nd one best. The direction he’s looking doesn’t indicate forward movement so he doesn’t need room to move into that space which, to me holds little interest…… 😉 My 2 bits worth! Beautiful shot, Ron.
“The direction he’s looking doesn’t indicate forward movement so he doesn’t need room to move into that space”
Exactly, Judy!
I like the second one. The twigs don’t even register for me. What does is the interesting way his tail and the seed pods mingle. Really intriguing.
“What does is the interesting way his tail and the seed pods mingle.”
I second that, Arwen. For some reason I really like the graphics of that combination.
I prefer the 2nd. Can you crop out the twigs?
Brad, I could crop any way I like but cropping all or most of the twigs out would produce an unappealing composition too tight on the bird.
My personal preference is for the second one, and I don’t mind those twigs at all. I think they add context to the level of concentration that the kestrel is applying to navigate his turn. Very engaging, and a beautiful start to the morning! Thanks.
At this point if I had to choose I’d probably pick the second one too but I am waffling a bit. Thanks, Alison.