# Inflight Kestrel

**URL:** <https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/inflight-kestrel/38383>\
**Category:** Image Critiques\
**Tags:** birds\
**Created:** [December 6, 2023, 4:12am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/inflight-kestrel/38383 "2023-12-06T04:12:57Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![Dave\_Douglass](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dave_douglass/32/5332_2.png) [@Dave\_Douglass](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dave_Douglass)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2023, 4:12am UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/inflight-kestrel/38383/1 "2023-12-06T04:12:57Z")

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![KESTREL2.jpg](https://images.naturephotographers.network/original/3X/3/1/31c501614bc78637699c1e847378544ffb535922.jpeg)

> **Critique Style Requested:** _Standard_
> 
> The photographer is looking for generalized feedback about the aesthetic and technical qualities of their image.

### Description

Well, I FINALLY captured a kestrel inflight. I had her eye locked in while she was perched on a branch, and it kept the lock when it took off (in a good direction in the morning light.

### Specific Feedback

I realize that this BG is an uninteresting clear blue sky but, to my eye, the subject is so prominent, it didn’t matter too much to me. Cropping?

### Technical Details

Z9, Nikon 180-600 lens, 1/3200th, f 8.0, hand held, 900mm, ISO 900, cropped to 1791 x 1466

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**Author:** ![Allen\_Sparks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_sparks/32/63507_2.png) [@Allen\_Sparks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Sparks)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2023, 1:34pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/inflight-kestrel/38383/2 "2023-12-06T13:34:48Z")

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Oh Wow! Congrats! I have had No Luck with this species so can really appreciate this capture. I like the angle of the bird coming towards us, the wing position and the good look at the eye. I am fine with having a blue sky background. I could see a little more room on top and in front but those are quite minor nits. Congrats again!!

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**Author:** ![David\_Bostock](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/david_bostock/32/34921_2.png) [@David\_Bostock](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/David_Bostock)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2023, 3:43pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/inflight-kestrel/38383/3 "2023-12-06T15:43:10Z")

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Hi Dave, awesome action image. I too have had problems catching these little ones in flight. The sky is fine as is, I think. The position of the bird is really nice. I agree with @Allen_Sparks about a tad more room. I also noticed on the larger version that it seems to be over sharpened. Maybe it’s the conversion to JPG.

Wonderful catch, Dave.

Cheers,  
David

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**Author:** ![Dennis\_Plank](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/dennis_plank/32/27033_2.png) [@Dennis\_Plank](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Dennis_Plank)\
**Post date:** [December 6, 2023, 11:20pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/inflight-kestrel/38383/4 "2023-12-06T23:20:42Z")

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Great catch, Dave. It looks like your focus was perfect, so I do think you can back off on the sharpening a bit. I also agree with Allen and David that a little more room for him would be nice. These are really tough to get in flight. The best I’ve managed were some at a marginal distance when hovering.

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**Author:** ![Allen\_Brooks](https://assets.naturephotographers.network/user_avatar/community.naturephotographers.network/allen_brooks/32/390_2.png) [@Allen\_Brooks](https://community.naturephotographers.network/u/Allen_Brooks)\
**Post date:** [December 9, 2023, 6:12pm UTC](https://community.naturephotographers.network/t/inflight-kestrel/38383/5 "2023-12-09T18:12:01Z")

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I’ll echo the previous comments: a great job on a tough bird to catch in flight. I like the head turn and eye contact.