My First Kestrel

Gallery: AvianPosted February 6, 2010244 views23 comments

Before joining NPN most of my bird shots were of the larger Fl wading birds and large birds of prey. I never really got into the smaller birds so that is all new to me. Well, I have never seen nor heard of an American Kestral as well till your magnificent posts her at NPN so I did my research and found that they ARE here in FL. I also learned that they are quite small not like the usual falcon/hawks here... SOOO.. The other day I went a lookin and darn if I didn't find 2 American Kestrels. I was elated and even more when I got home and discovered this one had a lizard in its mouth. Unfortunately this is about 50% crop and to go more was too much quality loss but it's MY FIRST KESTREL wee hoo
Canon 7D 300 mm 2.8 L lens w/2x extender
ISO 400 f8 @ 1/1000 resting on a fence post

Comments

23 comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on February 6, 2010 at 5:36 PM

Yes, Cheryl, we do have kestrels, unfortunately they are as skiddish here as any place I have ever tried to get images of them. One of my nem species for sure. I applaud you for going looking for them and finding a couple. Keep at it, I suggest finding a favorite perching spot for one of these guys and setting up a blind. I keep meaning to take this approach, but just have not had the time yet. Good luck in your continued efforts to capture kestrels, I am sure we will see some awesome shots shortly.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments

Comment posted by Monica Siri on February 6, 2010 at 5:42 PM

Beautiful capture, Cheryl! Congrats on your first kestrel with the prey too. I'm still waiting for mine, maybe next time in USA

Registered on September 20, 2009, 132 Posts, 3764 Comments

Comment posted by Mia McPherson on February 6, 2010 at 5:50 PM

Cheryl,

Congrats on your first kestrel and to get it with an anole is a big bonus! I like the spanish moss on the branches, it feels very "Florida" that way!

Registered on June 25, 2007, 491 Posts, 12566 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on February 6, 2010 at 6:07 PM

Your excitement is oozing out of my screen Cheryl. I'm very happy for you. Great that you got him with prey. Here's a strategy to try. Keep your eye open for them near roads. If there's an open field nearby where they hunt they very often come back to the same perch near the road where you first saw it. They get used to vehicles and if you shoot from the car they often don't spook. Get out of the vehicle and they will spook. At least that's the way it is out here.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on February 6, 2010 at 6:15 PM

Congratulations on your first Kestrel shot, Cheryl. You are so lucky to be able to go out and see one! Today I spent an hour with some birders in -7 deg. C weather (-22 deg C with wind chill) and got two fuzzy images of a Downy woodpecker! I like the action you captured here and the impressive perch. It would be nice if that one branch wasn't overlapping the bird's tail and if you could get a bit closer. However, I bet it won't be long before you are capturing images of these birds again.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on February 6, 2010 at 6:22 PM

Congrats getting your first AMKE! There are some great suggestions already mentioned.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Luke Ormand on February 6, 2010 at 6:37 PM

Your first Kestrel and it has prey!? I'd be so pleased with this experience

Registered on February 4, 2009, 1093 Posts, 7035 Comments

Comment posted by Douglas Graham on February 6, 2010 at 7:23 PM

Sounds like you had a good time finding and learning about a new a species. Bonus points for getting the lizard.

Registered on May 14, 2009, 123 Posts, 522 Comments

Comment posted by Nick Saunders on February 6, 2010 at 9:18 PM

Many congrats Cheryl , I love the lizard. I'm sure you'll get even closer shots with time

Registered on February 6, 2008, 321 Posts, 3035 Comments

Comment posted by Ed Dubois on February 6, 2010 at 9:19 PM

Wee hoo indeed! Congratulations Cheryl.

As several folks have already suggested the key to photographing a lot of the smaller birds is to learn their habits and find their territories and favored perches. And then the one other trick to it all is patience: sometimes you'll have to wait for hours while they decide from afar that you're no threat. Looking forward to seeing what you find next.

Registered on February 22, 2005, 129 Posts, 4739 Comments

Comment posted by David Sparks on February 6, 2010 at 9:28 PM

Cheryl:
True, there are Kestrels in Florida - but ... they are always perched on a power line and they never, never have a lizard in the beak. It's difficult to believe this shot was taken in Florida. However, the Spanish Moss does place restrictions on where you were when the shot was made.
Congrats on the hunt and capture. I'm excited for you.

Registered on May 26, 2007, 290 Posts, 4270 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on February 6, 2010 at 10:09 PM

Congrats on Your capture AND His capture! Pretty good for a first...I usually get so excited I can't keep the camera still! Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Mauro Pasquero on February 7, 2010 at 4:36 AM

Congratulation Cheryl,
very good shot!!!

The kestrel capturing the lizard in te air is wonderful. Mauro.

Registered on January 21, 2010, 650 Posts, 2500 Comments

Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on February 7, 2010 at 8:22 AM

Wahooo! congrats on your first Kestrel! They are one of my favorite birds. I see quite a few of them around my house but never close enough to get any good shots. This one is great. The lizzard is an excellent bonus. Nice job in keeping everything steady. Keep up the good work.

Registered on July 12, 2009, 92 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Sally King on February 7, 2010 at 10:54 AM

The lizard in the bill is so cool. I can certainly understand why you are excited to get this shot. Love the headturn as if the bird were showing it off to you.

Registered on December 2, 2008, 416 Posts, 4450 Comments

Comment posted by Cheryl Molennor on February 7, 2010 at 11:34 AM

So neat of all of you to share my excitement! I' ve re- visited this perch and he was there again. I think I must need a crane or something to get closer. Darn ...either that or camp out up in that tree

Thanks everyone for the constant encouragement

Registered on June 30, 2009, 300 Posts, 5051 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on February 7, 2010 at 12:02 PM

Way cool, Cheryl. I have no idea what it is about these birds, but I have a very difficult time getting a sharp image-something always goes wrong. A very nice perch and the behavior is neat.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Wayne Rhodus on February 7, 2010 at 10:23 PM

Congrats on your first kestrel Cheryl. It sounds like kestrels might be high on your list of subjects from now on.

Registered on November 16, 2003, 157 Posts, 3326 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 8, 2010 at 12:05 AM

Really unique setting Cheryl. I like the way the moss is hanging down in a sheet. It's a bit unfortunate that the branch is in front of his butt, but you got some good eye contact from the kestrel to make up for it. Good exposure.

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on February 8, 2010 at 12:42 AM

Congrats Cheryl, I like the meal and the mossy setting.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Andrea Marzorati on February 8, 2010 at 8:42 AM

Interesting and really good image, congrats on your first Kestrel

Registered on December 1, 2005, 86 Posts, 589 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on February 9, 2010 at 12:31 PM

What a shot for your first. Looks like a tasty meal.

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by mark cillo on February 9, 2010 at 10:51 PM

Cool experience! This has long been one of my favorite birds and I see them regularly here in MO. The problem for me is that they seem to prefer to stay just out of range of my lens. Nice work

Registered on July 27, 2008, 143 Posts, 1483 Comments