Is this a Kestrel?

I hate for my first image post to be of such poor quality. A 70-200mm F4L IS with 1.4x TC has limitations for birds. Anyway, I saw this guy as I was leaving work for lunch. Is this an American Kestrel? I have two books and it does not look exactly like the Kestrels in the book but it was the closet match I could find. This is a 100% crop.

yep

don't knock the quality of this shot. I've been trying for two years now, and never got one half that good.

Good job!

It is a Male Kestrel alright!!!

I have never seen a Kestrel other then photo's and looking at this one you can get an idea of how small the bird is compared to the light.

You've seen one, you captured it and I'm envious. Keep shooting!

Thanks everyone. It just looks so pitiful compared to the beautiful images in this forum. Don't get me wrong, I am glad I got it. It is just fustrating when you see all of the these beautiful birds and when you lift your camera they are just a spec in the middle of the frame.

I saw this guy as I was leaving working for lunch. I thought, too small for a hawk, but too big for most of the other birds I see on the light poles. It was one of the few days I left my camera at work. When I saw him, I thought, I have to go get the camera. He will probably be gone when I get back but I have to try. It was the first time I ever saw one.

no dought its a male kestral, very neat raptor if you find them hunting.
mike

Great Job! They are small and tough to shoot.
Birds often exhibit small fast movements that require a lot higher shutter speed than you might think. You could have used a lot larger aperture than f8. This would have allowed a faster shutter speed.