Male Kestrel with a kill/Bandipur

[Praveen Siddannavar]

I have photographed loads of pictures of Common Kestrel (Female) at Hessarghatta on the outskirts of Bangalore, however never was lucky to see a male and it was in my wish list for this year. However it never happened at Hessarghatta during my last 2 visits recently. Finally last weekend while tracking two new tigers at Bandipur, we were lucky to spot a male kestrel at Bandipur forest, unusual to spot a Kestrel in the forest woods, the kill was definitely a bonus. Honestly I was so much involved in tracking the 2 new tigers that we even gave up on shooting this kestrel which had killed a Barred Button Quail. Later on our way back fortunately the kestrel was still perched on the same tree with the kill and I made few images under extreme low light. More action coming up next....

I wish I had connected the TC, but was expecting a tiger to appear close by hence didn't.


Camera - Canon EOS 1D Mark IV, 500mm

Av 4
Tv 1/250
ISO 1250
EC + 0.7 step
Focal length 500mm
Cropped
Bean Bag Support
Date and Time : 21st Jan'12 @ 5:52pm