This first shot may look familiar but all of these photos are new to my blog and there’s a story to tell.
Four days ago I posted this photo of a male American Kestrel stretching his wings and tail. During the process he was looking down and the pose was obviously a stretching one rather than a takeoff posture. At first glance that photo may look similar to the first one below but a lot transpired between the two shots. According to my image time stamps somewhere between 3 and 4 minutes passed between the two shots as the little falcon stayed perched on the branch and relaxed, roused and then cleaned his toes.
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
His stretch had been a slow, languid one and so was his eventual takeoff. Usually they take off so damned fast I can barely keep them in frame in the first shot of my burst but this guy took his time about it. I took 13 shots of him as he was very slowly raising his wings and looking at his next perch which was only about 2′ above and in front of him.
It was almost as if he was using his body as an aiming device so he could accurately hit his next landing spot.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
And here’s where he landed. It wasn’t a great perch for photography but apparently it suited him just fine.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
When he took off a second time my shutter didn’t fire at the ideal moment but I did manage to get a catch light in his eye.
This kestrel was banded on his right foot but I couldn’t read the numbers very well. I’ve reported the bird and included some tight crops of the band to see if they can make any sense out of them. Sometimes they can perform sleuthing miracles just from a few numbers, noting which foot was banded, whether or not there were bands on both feet and which types of bands they are.
If I hear anything meaningful back I’ll let you know.
Ron
Note: These photos were taken 5 days ago at Farmington Bay WMA.
What a handsome bird! Beautiful photos. Kestrels remind me of a saying about kittens – a killing machine in a cute little package.
Carol
Yes, it works for both. Thank you, Carol.
Beautiful shots Ron!
Thanks, Jean.
What a beauty. I love the thought of his languid stretches, the effortless pose on that fragile perch, and the almost flirtatious look over his shoulder as he heads into the wild blue yonder.
I think there’s a bit of the romantic in you, EC. I like that.
Beautiful photos. these guys are so fast. I was photographing one the other day at the bay, I posted the photos on my FB. Even with a fast continuous frame rate my camera has I missed the poses I wanted when the kestrel took off.
Yup, their takeoff is usually very fast, April. That’s why I was surprised that this guy’s preliminary steps were so drawn out.
Ron, that last shot really highlights the aerodynamic shape of the falcon’s wing. Looks just like a modern aircraft!
You’re right, Joel – it does. Thanks.
Kestrels are my favorites. Love these little guys and gals. Really like that third photo Ron. Laughing at that look he gives you just over the wing as he calls out, “hasta luego amigo.” Beautiful shot.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Thank you, Everett.
Great photos. The second shows some of the finer points of the feather markings…especially the way the fine black speckles march down the feather tips…and if one could measure them, I would bet they are at the precise point on each! Catching those same speckles on the belly in the other two photos just makes one see the extreme details this little one sports. Painting this little one would be time consuming…thank goodness for your beautiful photos! My dish must have been having a hissy-fit yesterday…I sent a response to your post and it disappeared never to be seen again. I repeated later only to have the same thing happen…not meant to be or perhaps the warmer temps (2+degrees) was too much for it to handle! 😂
Thank you, Kathy. Glitches like you describe can be hard to pin down unless they’re happening to most or all viewers. Please let me know if it continues to happen.
Boy, Ron! I wish I had more words in my vocabulary to say how much I love your Kestrel series! What a colorful, spunky raptor s/he is!! I don’t even mind the that in the last photo s/he took off away from you. To see all the color on the back and under wings is spectacular!! Love it!!
Your vocabulary works just fine for me, Jo Ann! Thank you.
Beautiful and fun, Ron….. 🙂 2nd shot looks like “there smarty pants, bet you thought I couldn’t do it!” 🙂 I also love the third shot – got his eye and beautiful colors……
Thanks, Judy. I like that third photo because it’s an angle that gives us a an unusual look at both ventral and dorsal patterns and colors in the same shot.
Outstanding Ron….I do love looking at these little guys…I think they are beautiful and your photography does them justice…I especially like the last shot in the series…Thank you
I almost didn’t include that last shot because we see only part of his face and eye so I appreciate that feedback, Steve. Thanks.