Kestrel again

[Jaedon]

I went back to shoot my Kestrel friend and found him willing to pose for me again. Really a cute little guy. This time I was able to nail the exposure and it looks like a stuffed bird posing in the studio for me lol.

[mn shutterbug]

I'll bet that is a stuffed bird you put up in the tree. You're tricky. Seriously, nice shot. I don't believe I have ever seen a kestrel in a tree. The only ones I have seen are perched on an electrical wire. That wouldn't make for a very good photo.

[Knight]

I havent seen a kestrel since late October , Good Capture

[Loupey]

Good perseverance and nice capture.

That one is actually a female.

[Jaedon]

how do you tell teh difference Loupey? None of my books show both sexes.

[Loupey]

The males have very prominent blue wings and a rust chest. Here is a link that show both sexes:

http://www.birds.cornell.edu/AllAbou...n_Kestrel.html

Whenever I spot one at a distance and I'm not sure of the sex, 9 times out of 10 it ends up being a female. That's because a male is pretty obvious even at great distances.

It doesn't matter to me, I love photographing either. I got a pair in the same shot once. It wasn't a good shot, but still a starting point to improve upon for me at least.


If I were you, I'd keep going back to that spot and keep shooting her as long as she sticks around.

[Jaedon]

Thanks for the link Loupey. I can definitely see the difference now.. The wings on the male are GORGEOUS. I hope there is one nearby.

I definitely plan on shooting her some more.

Incidentally I happened upon an Army surplus store around the corner form my house today and lucked out. There was an AWESOME camo coverall suit in my size for $25. It is a tiny bit snug in the tummy... but since my tummy is shrinking from all the walking I am doing .. it should fit by next week lol. I should be able to get even closer if I find a spot she like and wait.

She seems to gravitate between 6 different trees along the shoreline. The good thing is that on of the tree tops is in line with a small hill about 20 feet away. If I can get situated there and she doesn't notice me I should get some really nice shots when she's in flight to that tree and in the tree.

But of course with my luck she'll be out chasing the boys when I get there lol.

[Loupey]

Keep us posted. I have found that they are creatures of habit and they do tend to use the same perches. That hill sounds ideal for laying low and waiting them/her out. Make sure no kid shoots an arrow into your butt thinking that you are some mound of earth on top of that hill with that camo.

The kestrels have been very scarce in my parts for the last several months. I greatly hope that all the urban development around here hasn't finally pushed them away.

[Cassie1]

A lovely image Jaedon. I am lucky where I live I see them every day. So I really ought to get out and try to capture one. I have been so busy just lately though if I don't get out soon I will forget how to use my camera

Cassie.