I had a hard time deciding which modifying adjective to use in my title – flirtatious, demure, coy or alluring. With this pretty lady in this pose they all work for me.
1/1250, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I’ve always been a sucker for over the shoulder looks from the ladies whether they be human or avian so when this female kestrel at Farmington Bay WMA gave me that look I was hooked. With most birds I’d prefer a little more light on the face but I have a catch light in the eye and I think this kind of lighting with this particular pose makes her seem a little more… mysterious. In my view the soft lighting on the bird and the mostly warm colors in the background add to the almost romantic mood.
But when I analyze too carefully there seems to always be something to spoil my fantasies. In this case it’s the bird poop (whitewash) and blood stains dripping down the wooden post, neither of which fits the mood particularly well. Kestrels and other raptors use this post as a dining table and they often leave evidence of their visits behind.
No matter the mood evoked (or ruined) I like the photo very much.
Ron
On a (mostly) unrelated note:
PBS has come out with a new documentary in the Nature series called “The Serengeti Rules” that I finished watching last night. I highly recommend it. It follows the revolutionary discoveries of a group of pioneering research scientists whose work transformed our understanding of nature and ecology, leading to the concept that eventually came to be known as “keystone species“. My degree is in biology and watching it opened my eyes so I suspect many of my readers will find it both interesting and enlightening.
And it gives us at least some hope in the possibility of eventually “restoring our damaged earth” so in the end I found watching it to be uplifting rather than depressing. Humans have been called “hyper keystone species” so we have the power to restore the balance to severely damaged ecosystems if only we will. Some positive developments in that arena have already been accomplished but obviously there’s much more to do.
And no, I’m not ignoring the elephant in the room, the climate crisis. But I do try to be hopeful when I can.
Here’s the link if you’re interested and choose to watch it online as I did: The Serengeti Rules.
Lovely pose!
I happened across The Serengeti Rules this afternoon and watched it. I was spellbound. As a biology undergraduate in the ’60s I would have been inspired by this concept and pursued it. I’ve seen it vividly at work in Yellowstone when the wolves were reintroduced and became top predators on the elk. The elk are a lot harder to see now, and their reduced numbers have led to obvious changes in the landscape. Some of the credit goes to the increase in the beaver population, too. It is like the wolves are working in concert with the beavers to bring back the original, natural habitat.
I see we were biology undergrads of the same era, Buff. 1966-70 for me.
Yes, Yellowstone’s wolves are a classic example of a keystone species.
Ron,
I like it when you put “perceived emotions” with your pictures. I sense those frequently (or imagine them) so I’m glad I’m not the only one!
Stephen
Stephen, I never used to but I’m becoming less rigid about it.
I do hope the male kestrel was as taken with this beauty as you (and us).
Than thanks for the link which I will try and watch when time permits.
EC, I took that shot in midwinter so I don’t really think she had romance or males of any species on her mind. Just a fantasy of mine. š
The warm background; the fluffed up feathers; and the look. Who could resist being smitten?
I have the Nature show on my DVR, which I will watch tonight.
Thanks for both.
Thanks, Lyle. I hope you enjoy it.
I was four when I was first taught how to do the shoulder flirt. Here is the method. 1. Drape a scarf or shawl over your shoulders. 2. Locate your male target/s. Make very, very brief eye contact. Turn away. 3. Locate a space 20-30 feet ahead of you that is your destination. 4. Locate a space 10-15 feet ahead of you that has an unobstructed view between your targets and the site. 5. Walk slowly and calmly, with an erect but relaxed back, toward the spot at 10-15 feet. 6. When you reach the spot, stop stock still. Drop the shawl or scarf from the shoulder over which you intend to fire. 7. Fire. Er, that is, look at the target, make eye contact. Hold for the count of 2 seconds, one thousand one, one thousand two. 8. Turn your head back toward the destination and proceed to the destination space.
Yes, I practiced, with my aunties holding my hands, then urging me on alone, refining my technique.
Ah, the toxic old South.
Martha, if you had done that to me you would had me!
Gotta tell you, Martha. When your comment email came in on my phone this morning I was out shooting with Mia. She spent a significant portion of her life in the south and she often talks about what you refer to as “the toxic old South” so I just knew she’d get a kick out of your comment. I let her read it on my phone and a kick out of it she definitely got!
So thanks for taking the time to walk us through your technique!
Ron. I think she loves you . Thank you
so much for capturing her. Diana
If she did the feeling was reciprocal, Diana.
E. All of the above š She is definitely giving you her best “come hither” look. š
I agree, Marty. E it is.
Definitely a coquettish toss of the head. š
Beautiful shot! Love Kestrels and had an educational female kestrel when I taught.
But, I have to say that āThe Serengeti Rulesā should be a required hour to every student in the country. I think all biologists instinctively know how correct Paine, Sinclair, Tourberg (sp), and others were and are in their findings. Man I loved that hour and only wish it had come out while I was teaching! I can understand the desire for optimism after seeing this film, but still feel there is a tremendous amount of education that needs to be done before it is too late.
Many thanks for sharing, wonderful post!
“āThe Serengeti Rulesā should be a required hour to every student in the country”
Dick, I’d say to every VOTER in the country. Our general populace needs to be brought up to speed on this stuff!
I agree whole heartily!!
One of my favorite birds. Personally I don’t see many here in Rhode island. The one that I did see once in a while was plucked mid air from behind by a Snowy Owl while hunting at Sachuest NWP last winter.
That’s amazing that a snowy could catch a kestrel in midair, Gary. Kestrels are incredibly fast and maneuverable.
It happened !! The snowy plucked it out of mid air from behind in front of a group of photographers. The Kestrel never saw it coming. I didn’t see it personally. Everybody was buzzing about it when I arrived at Sachuest last year. I did see several pics from different photographers.
Oh I have not doubt that it happened. I’m just amazed that it did.
Beautiful photograph!! And thanks for the heads up about the program – I’d love to watch something positive.
It’s worth watching, Joanne.
Super shot Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Beautiful photo Ron or a beautiful bird. I see her as being in a pensive thoughtful mood. She is thinking about what she is going to do after she is done posing for you. Outstanding photo of one of my favorites. I participate with the Kestrel restoration folks here in the Prescott area. I liked your response to Judy where you reminded her and all your followers that our pretty Kestrel might look cute and cuddly, but in reality she is a “fierce little killer.”
Yes, pensive and thoughtful works too. There are lots of choices. Thanks, Everett.
Coy, Alluring, Demure – all fit this photo. Looks like such a cute, cuddly bird – HA! Glad you captured this side of her nature….:) Warm colors throughout are beautiful – post telling another part of the story be damned! Bookmarked the Serengeti rules – sounds interesting.
Yes, kestrels are a dichotomy. They may appear “cute and cuddly” but their personalities are mostly the opposite – “fierce little killers” describes them more accurately. Hope you enjoy the show, Judy.
A lovely photo of a lovely bird and all the adjectives are applicable. Perfectly positioned in the frame and I love the head angle. What’s not to like. A little “poo and guts” just is a little additive for me. Thanks for the link on the show. I’ll be looking for it.
Thanks, Frank. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed that documentary. And by how much I learned. I really admire all those scientists.
Ron, she is the one who told me about your sight. I know she reads it, we talk about some of your posting. They are enlarging, fund drive going on. The Movie Field of Dreams, āBuild it they will comeā, well Louise built it and they come, 30,000 visitors last year. My wife and I have learned so much from her, the staff that we support the center. Canāt wait for it to be completed, it is going to be able to accommodate the handicap and that is very important.
Steven, Louise sometimes comments here, providing expert insight into various avian issues and concepts I bring up. From feedback I’ve received from other rehabbers all over the country I know that her reputation and that of the CRC are stellar and that perception has been reinforced by her valuable contributions to my blog. I really do hope to visit CRC one day.
A beautiful little lady indeed! š The colors are perfect…a great start to my very rainy day. Thank you for sharing.
Glad you enjoyed it, Kathy.
Beautiful shot!
Thank you, Jean.
At the Cascades Raptor Center in Eugene we have āPuckā certain time of the year he is a āLadies Manā. Enjoy watching him attract the females.
I envy your opportunities to visit CRC, Steven. Please tell Louise Shimmel hello for me next time you see her – a special lady for a special place.