Like most bird photographers I find American Kestrels to be a very difficult subject, largely because they’re so difficult to approach. But occasionally, under the right conditions, one can find a calm and cooperative bird. This female exceeded all expectations.
1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light, not set up, baited or called in
This post was her favorite perch on the refuge. I’d seen her there often but usually she wouldn’t allow me close. Thankfully, on this cold morning she made an exception. This shot was taken soon after I approached her so she was still suspicious of me and was giving me a dubious look.
1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light, not set up, baited or called in
But soon she completely relaxed, did some preening, and then held up her clenched and blood-stained foot like so many raptors do when they’re at ease. You’ll notice that she has a feather stuck to one of her toes on her left foot.
1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light, not set up, baited or called in
She even gave me a coquettish, demure look or two – I think she was beginning to like me…
1/1000, f/7.1, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light, not set up, baited or called in
Eventually she settled into this standard pose for quite a while as she warmed up in the morning sun.
1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light, not set up, baited or called in, canvas added for composition
When she stretched her wings and tail I knew she was likely about to fly off but when she did she took off away from me.
Believe it or not I spent 27 minutes with this lovely lady during that session and less than hour later she gave me another 5 minutes on the same perch. In my experience that’s almost unheard of for a kestrel this close to a photographer.
Good bird!
Ron
Note: I’ve posted a couple of images if this bird previously but these shots are new to my blog.
Beautiful captured, esp the like the lighting.
I love these shots of this pretty bird. The background works nicely too.
ARRGHHH! So envious! Beautiful portraits, Ron!!!
Beautiful! She does seem to be posing for you in the third pic, especially!
One of my favorite birds. We have a Kestrel that hangs around our backyard now and then. I wish my camera was as good as yours!
A beautiful series.
Those are the most wonderful Kestrel shots I have ever seen. I think that they are one of the prettiest birds around mainly because of their coloration. I read and try to imagine how it must feel to be close to one. You make me want to go out and buy a pickup just so I can try. I see them sometimes like yesterday, sitting on a wire. I try to shoot them, but to be honest, the only way I can tell they are kestrels is downloading the shot and also by their behavior. I could sit and look at these all day!
Thanks so much for sharing!
Charlotte
Loved your comment, Charlotte. You don’t need a pick-up, any car will do. It really helps to pick an extremely cold morning – they’re more reluctant to fly when its frigid.
I am SURE that she liked you. She must have, to have given you (and us) this incredible gift.
Well, I know I sure liked HER, Elephants Child!
What an engaging series of pictures!
Thanks, Paul.
Your kestrels are so bright and beautiful! Wish mine were as nice.
Thank you, Carolyn.
Beautiful! Your timing for posting images and stories of your experiences with Kestrels are mysteriously always poignant with my personal life experiences. Today is pretty significant, as I just received news of a friend’s death. Kestrels seem to show up in real life or in other ways for me when a life crosses over. The Universe works mysteriously, and I am grateful to take solace in the marvelous work you share and find comfort in them. Please know how much you and your talents are appreciated. This series is truly spectacular for it’s unusual closeness in how she let you get to her, and the richness in her personality of letting you. Thank you.
So sorry to hear about your friend, Julia and I’m happy that this post brought you some solace.
Hi Ron,
A beauty, as always! Did you “talk” to her a la magazine photographers and their models? 🙂
Also, I think I recall your saying some time ago that American Kestrels are somewhat more approachable on cold mornings…? I haven’t been able to test that approach – I usually opt for another cup of coffee on those days….
Thank you for sharing your images and insights. Your posts are always a nice start to my day!
Cheers,
Dick
Dick, Actually, I do sometimes “talk” to my avian subjects, given enough time with them. I’m of the opinion that it can sometimes be soothing and reassuring to them.
And yes, your memory is correct. It’s nearly always a very cold morning when a kestrel allows me close (I usually have my coffee with me…)
What a lovely story. I envy you so. I have not yet been able to get close to a kestrel. I hope to someday. As always, you’ve made my morning with exquisite photos and wonderful narrative.Thanks you.
Thank you, Sharon.
It’s my understanding that birds often “stand their feathers on end” not only to warm up, but also to allow the sun to reach their skin, providing vitamin D…I’m sure you and others know more about this. I’ve seen it in birds I’ve raised and taken out side pre-release.
Patty: Generally the vitamin D3 is created from sunbathing which provides ultraviolet light which acts on the provitamin S in the oil on a bird’s skin.
BTW the oil from the preen gland doesn’t waterproof feathers. The long thought cause for waterproof feathers. The now understood cause is the actual structure of the feathers themselves and in particular the “touch points” found on the feather barbs.
Bill
Thanks…you say they get vitamin D3 from sunbathing..isn’t that why they fluff their feathers “on end” like that …to expose their skin? What are “touch points” on the barbs were they lock together like teeth on a zipper?
There are several reasons for why birds erect their contour feathers. Better insulation, alignment and bathing. There are 4 muscles that control these erectile feathers.
Touch points are tiny (need an electron microscope to see them) raised areas on the barbs that are part of the feather vanes. Only down (one of 5 types of feathers) don’t have these touch points. It is believed that these touch points hold water molecules off the surface of the feather thus preventing the feather from becoming “waterlogged”.
Interesting…Does “sun-bathing” count?…
Sun bathing is one of the forms of bathing. Also included are dust bathing, water bathing and flying through a water source like a sprinkler, mist or rain.
Bill
I’ve seen birds fluttering back and forth though wet leaves in early morning sunlight, obviously “bathing”…less often than seeing them sip water from dew-soaked leaves, but even more fun to watch.
What the heck is BTW? (I don’t communicate well with today’s initials-only only “short speak”)…
Patty, BTW is “by the way”.
That’s some definite ‘side-eye’ in the first shot. Congrats on such a cooperative subject.
Thank you, Naomi.
WONDERFUL! She is so darned cute! An exquisite little bird. Looks like a knock-out coming in the second frame. We had our annual FrOGS (Friends Of the Great Swamp )art show fund raising even this past weekend and I asked my friend Jim Eyring of the Pace University Environmental Center. about kestrels…he had the first kestrel I met.” up close and personal”. Jim is a falconer and educator, whose mission is to make people more aware of these birds, their beauty, their needs, and their value. This takes him all over the place, speaking and showing his birds. When I asked him if he’d noticed a decline in the numbers of kestrels, he answered immediately and vehemently. “YES!!!”…adding that the cause was a variety of things, but largely loss of habitat. It was very depressing. That’s the hardest of all to control, especially with the numbers pouring into the country, the desire for new homes, new roads and other forms of “development”, a euphemism for “land and resource rape”.
As you know I’ve also noticed the decline, Patty. Truly depressing.
These capatures are incredible. The details who offer are great. I learn each and every day thanks to you. The clarity of your photos just boggles my mind. This female was defiently doing a little ‘Vogueing” for you. Now I’m beginning to think you are the raptor Whisperer!!! Thanks Ron.
My “whispering” hasn’t been very effective recently, Ellen. Hope I haven’t lost my touch.
Thank you very much, Alison, Diana and Nancy!
Awesome story Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Ron, I am envious. The female AMKE where I feed is very standoffish and I have her food.
Wonderful photos that I will remember a long time. Thanks
What an exquisite series!