One of two American Kestrels we saw on power lines (the other was a female) whilst we were driving on Colebrook Road in Surrey during BC Family Day (February 8) 2016. Though not a closeup — my subject was about 15-20 feet above my head and 25 feet away — the setting sun lit him just enough to capture his magnificent plumage (another photo I took of him from the back showed blue wings and orange back–confirming his gender).
this diminutive and gorgeous diurnal insectivore is no bigger than a Mourning Dove.
f/8, 1/400, 500mm, ISO 160
My first sighting in the wild of North America’s tiniest falcon, and the first time I have seen the male of the species. It surprised me to learn that insects are the primary staples of their diet, although they will also eat small reptiles and small songbirds.
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Well spotted and well photographed, you have an eagle’s eye for such beauty.
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thank you for your kind words, Susan! 🙂
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Great job spotting and photographing this beauty! They are very hard to capture as they are so flighty and fast.
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you’re right about that, Leslie! this shot took several attempts, as my subject would spot me and fly further down the power line. I had to pretend to not see him! 🙂
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Fantastic!!
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thank you, Pat!
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Wow! Beautiful
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I never expected to see one in the wild, and on the same day that I also saw a Northern Pygmy Owl in the wild! 🙂
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Some days you just get lucky 🙂
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oh yes. I won the bird lottery that day! 😀
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Quite the poser! So cute! That was a wonderful find!
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thank you, Jan! 🙂
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What a great shot! I love the look! Beautiful.
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thank you, Mary! the sun lit him in all the right places! 🙂
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Fabulous.
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thank you! he capped off an eventful day of birding. 🙂
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It is really beautiful this American Kestrel,
it is always a pleasure to admire your photos.
I wish you a beautiful Friday.
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thank you, Hervé!
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Stunning capture, caught in brilliant light. Lovely.
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thank you, Brian! 🙂
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I love the expression you caught on his face SO much! ❤ I’d love to know what he’s thinking right then. 🙂 And the lighting is swoon-worthy!
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if he could roll his eyes (and, like most birds, he probably can’t 😉 ), he’s probably thinking, “alright, lady, take your photo and get back into your car. I’m just trying to catch some rays here!” 😀
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Paparazzi…they are so impossible! But when you’re gorgeous like he is, you have to get used to it. 😀
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ROTFL!! 😀 😀 😀
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I love how you captured his eye – beautiful little bird!
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thank you, Eliza! oh he was a gorgeous fellow. I’d never seen the blue wings of a male Sparrowhawk before, and it is always a real treat to see a raptor in the wild. 🙂
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We used to see them hunting in the field of the farm next door, but sadly, I haven’t seen them in many years.
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that’s sad, because Kestrels are excellent insect control birds. 😦
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With many bird populations generally at 10% of their original numbers, you can just imagine the number of insects that are no longer being eaten. A huge impact to the ecosystem.
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I can imagine — that is a staggering decline. it’s why we have banned pesticides here and done our (poor) personal best to make them feel welcome.
I am happy to see that the Tree, Barn, and Violet Green Swallows have made extra early appearances here in Metro Vancouver (all three having arrived 3-4 weeks ahead of schedule last month).
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OMG – 3-4 weeks? That is incredible (not to mention worrisome).
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the bees, wasps, hornets, and flies have been busy getting in our faces this winter!
and I just saw our FOY Rufous Hummingbird (an adult male) yesterday at the 28 oz nectar feeder in the backyard. he had a good long drink before leaving. 🙂
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Amazing.
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Just beautiful. Well caught.
Hugs
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thank you, David! 🙂
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What an amazing photograph! The kestrel looks shy, almost as if he’s saying don’t look at me!
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I think you nailed his expression, Noelle! 🙂
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Beautiful bird .. And what does he like feasting on?
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Julie,
Kestrels eat mainly insects … which is good for us (and perhaps more importantly, songbirds!)
cheers,
Hui
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The kestrel is one of my alltime favorite birds! Thanks for the glowingly lovely photo. 🙂
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I like that coy look in his eye! Such a cutie…and he has some ‘love-heart’ spots on the front there, on the left. Lovely. PS: Is there something wrong about the Songbirds?
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nothing wrong about the songbirds … except they’re probably glad to not be on the Kestrel’s plate (most of the time, anyway!) 🙂
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Oh, good to hear that…
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