Kestrel in front of me

hammered · Dec 22, 2011

It was a beautiful day today so I took Benson for a walk around the marshes. Strangely, there weren't that many birds about, but as I was walking around the edge of the marsh and wetland tree area a kestrel flew through the clearing just ahead of me. I managed to get a few shots, but it was flying real fast. Enjoy the pics :thumbsup:

hammered

fossis · Dec 22, 2011

It couldn't outfly your camera, nice shot. :thumbsup:

Fossis...........

crazyjarhead · Dec 23, 2011

Beautiful shot. If you are not already one, you should become a professional photographer :thumbsup:

Have a wonderful Holiday :icon_sunny:

naturegirl · Dec 23, 2011

Beautiful pictures, Kestrals are one of my favorites! Sorry to be a bird-nerd, but here goes.....I think the reason you don't see as many of the raptors out on beautiful sunny days is because they are efficiency machines. If it's sunny, and they can just sit on a branch in the sun to warm themselves, that utilizes less energy than hunting. If it's wet, cloudy, snowy, and they need to burn energy to stay warm, they have to hunt to replenish that energy. I may have something wrong with that explanation, but that's the best I can remember it :wink:

Here's a link to some baby American Kestrals
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,277606.0.html

ronwoodcraft · Dec 23, 2011

I had forgot about that link NG. :icon_thumright:

WTG Hammered,

Kestrels are one of my favorite birds also, but seem to know how to stay just out of reach of my lens.

packerbacker · Dec 23, 2011

You're getting better all the time Hammered!

Felinepeachy · Dec 23, 2011

Oh I love that third picture. Great shots Ian. :tongue3:

hammered · Dec 23, 2011

fossis said:
It couldn't outfly your camera, nice shot.

Fossis...........

No excuses, but it did catch me by surprise :laughing7:

SoCalRon said:
Beautiful shot. If you are not already one, you should become a professional photographer Have a wonderful Holiday

Thanks for that Ron :thumbsup:

, but I am very far from being that good :'(

, I know this because a friend is a pro and he puts me to shame every time, I am getting better tho' , I think :tongue3:

naturegirl said:
Beautiful pictures, Kestrals are one of my favorites! Sorry to be a bird-nerd, but here goes.....I think the reason you don't see as many of the raptors out on beautiful sunny days is because they are efficiency machines. If it's sunny, and they can just sit on a branch in the sun to warm themselves, that utilizes less energy than hunting. If it's wet, cloudy, snowy, and they need to burn energy to stay warm, they have to hunt to replenish that energy. I may have something wrong with that explanation, but that's the best I can remember it

Here's a link to some baby American Kestrals
http://forum.treasurenet.com/index.php/topic,277606.0.html

Thanks naturegirl :icon_thumleft:

, I loved the link. I'll try to get some pics of some of our other raptors :icon_thumleft:

ronwoodcraft said:
I had forgot about that link NG.

WTG Hammered,

Kestrels are one of my favorite birds also, but seem to know how to stay just out of reach of my lens.

Trust me Ron, I know how you feel :tongue3:

, I have to follow, then follow again most wildlife around here, occasionally getting a good shot :help:

packerbacker said:
You're getting better all the time Hammered!

Thanks PB, that means a lot coming from you :wink:

Felinepeachy said:
Oh I love that third picture. Great shots Ian.

Thanks Peach :hello:

, I like that one too, it's even better in full. I want to see more of your great shots, it was kind of you and RGINN that inspired me to get back behind the camera anyway, so come on, start posting your best animal shots :thumbsup:

hammered