David Israel wrote:
Beautiful, sharp images with great color. I love having multiple portrait angles. Nicely done, Steve. I wonder if the original owner of that feather, on his chest, looks as good as this guy does?
Dave I.
Dave, The feather kind of looked like a dove feather which are almost as common as pigeons in our area. The thing is those doves are bigger than this little one. Steve W
Tim Kuhn wrote:
Gorgeous work. The feather in the chest must make these the most unique kestral shots I have seen. Lovely expressions, sharp, detailed wonderful exposures. You should be as proud as this little guy.
Tim
Tim, Thank you much for your nice comments - I do appreciate them! Steve W
Well done, Steve. These are great images, with beautiful color and fine detail. But most of all you managed to capture the personality of that beautiful raptor.
Socrate
Chris Willis wrote:
Steve, these are excellent. I am so jealous, I have never had the opportunity to photograph one of these kestrels, but at least I get a chance to see pictures like these. Thanks for sharing them!
Chris
Chris, Thanks for the kind remarks. I always seem to have a hard time getting shots of kestrels in our area - the are fast, small and shy. I lucked out with this one. Steve W
Karl Witt wrote:
Really neat shots of this Kestrel, thought that was his feather out of place til I looked at the fist full in the right talon. Hope is comes back for more photo shoots for you soon, nice.
Karl
Karl, Thanks! I didn't include this but my CF card filled as I was taking shots of the little guy. I stopped shooting to replace the card and of course the Kestrel flew away. I heard the cry of a Cooper's Hawk and looked around and saw a mature adult on a fence post several hundred feet away with the little Kestrel diving at the Cooper's. This was amazing to watch and I tried to approach them to get some shots but I think the Cooper's had enough and it flew away with the Kestrel following. I hope they are both OK! Steve W
tough yes, & proud. Beautiful shots - - but I do believe we're looking at a little gal.
Lil
Lil, You may be right about it being a little gal! It was sure protective of the area. I have been back to the site but haven't seen it but I will keep looking when time allows. I hope it is on a nest of eggs! Steve W
Shasoc wrote:
Well done, Steve. These are great images, with beautiful color and fine detail. But most of all you managed to capture the personality of that beautiful raptor.
Socrate
Socrate, Thank you for your nice comments. It was a very neat little bird! Steve W
alameda wrote:
Lil, You may be right about it being a little gal! It was sure protective of the area. I have been back to the site but haven't seen it but I will keep looking when time allows. I hope it is on a nest of eggs! Steve W
Steve,
since getting my first shot of a Kestrel, which I now know was a male, I've learned the color differences in the male & female. The male has bluish/gray wings & spots on the chest. The female has brown wings with darker lines & lines on the chest - like yours. So you may well have a female with a nest - - that would be wonderful. Hope to see some more shots from you of this little lady.
Steve W