Nankeen Kestrel at Dusk

Nikon D70
Nikon SB800
Nikon 70-200VR
Nikon TC1.7IIE

This was 5.10pm (winter) and the sun had just gone down over the horizon. Nicole and I were flying along a dirt road at Werribee Treatment Plant and I suddenly told Nicole to put on the anchors. We stopped just a little bit past this bird and turned the engine off. I shot about 20-30 shots with a variety of lenses (yes I managed to change lenses midshoot). Used my 70-200VR with 1.7x, I think Nicoles Sigma 100-300 with 1.4x, and then at the very end I tried Nicoles 80-400VR. There was a bit of ambient still about, but flash was the main source of light as the sun had gone down behind the bird.

ISO400
Focal Length: 340MM
Metering: Spot
Exp Mode: Manual
Shutter: 1/160th
Aperture: F/5.6
Flash: iTTL
Flash Comp: -2.3EV (Hmm swear it was at -1.3EV though)
WB: Auto

Was going to post another Black Shouldered Kite shot but I think I'll wait a few days seeing as Ofer has just posted his


ps. While I don't like this perch we didn't have much choice and so far the only time I've been able to shoot them close up is either on a pole, or on this man made perch that is put into the fields for them.