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Photography Area~Our Photos => Wildlife / Birds => Topic started by: shutterbugmom on December 24, 2008, 05:05:03 PM

Title: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: shutterbugmom on December 24, 2008, 05:05:03 PM
How can I finish my wrapping of gifts when God keeps sending me ones like this?  I've not seen an American Kestrel in the wild...this was in my backyard, does that count as wild?  I did a quick process just so you could see her.  She is so pretty!  She was hunting in one of our bushes, but came up empty. 

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shekinahphotography.com%2Fimg%2Fv6%2Fp889869425-4.jpg&hash=f875b1f27a2935039d5b751e8d5fc219e68b7a35)
Title: Re: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: JudyB on December 24, 2008, 07:40:02 PM
Oh WOW  That is one beautiful bird.

Where did you see it
Title: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: LakeLady on December 24, 2008, 08:16:45 PM
Absolutely beautiful. 

Becky
Title: Re: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: Pat on December 24, 2008, 09:28:46 PM
My goodness, Kathleen!

That's absolutely gorgeous.  Yes, I'd say that's "wild"!  ;)

Title: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: Don on December 25, 2008, 05:41:54 AM
I know that must have been a pleasant surprise. I spent two hours Christmas eve lying in a straw field trying to get a shot of a hawk hunting there and you just shoot right out the window. You lucky girl.

I would say it is in the wild. Nice shot!
Title: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: Marilyn on December 25, 2008, 01:48:43 PM
Wow great shot she is truly beautiful
Title: Re: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: Pat on December 25, 2008, 02:26:12 PM



Don, that's so true. 

You go out and get all wet and cold while waiting and Kathleen was in her kitchen! 

I'm still in awe!
Title: Re: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: shutterbugmom on December 25, 2008, 06:42:44 PM
Quote from: Pat on December 25, 2008, 02:26:12 PM



Don, that's so true. 

You go out and get all wet and cold while waiting and Kathleen was in her kitchen! 

I'm still in awe!


Actually, my daughter was yelling for me to come downstairs because I was in my bedroom and she said there are two birds but not our regular birds and then I saw the pair of them and immediately knew what they were and dashed for my camera.

I ran upstairs to my "bird blind" aka laundry room where I've removed the screen and hung a big sage green piece of thick material over the window.  One of the pair had already flown away.  I took a few shots through the window just to get them in case she flew away when I opened the window.  I then carefully opened the window and she didn't even mind.  She did look at me when she heard my shutter click, but didn't look threatened or bothered in any way.  I sat on my step stool for an hour with my camera on a monopod.  The snow was flying and the wind was blowing and I was very thankful to not have to have been out in it.  From where she was perched, I never could have gotten the shots I did from the ground floor nor could I have gotten outside to shoot without scaring her off.  My bird blind is the best thing ever!

Man, this falcon was so fast that by the time I had an incling she was going for the prey in my bush, she was just about out of my frame.  I did get a couple shots of her actually flying toward the bush and pounching on it, which I will try to post, but my auto focus or my manual (I'm slower than it, I think) focus was too slow to catch her in time for most of the shots.

Sorry, Don, that you had to brave the outdoors and elements.  So, did you get any good shots?   
Title: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: shutterbugmom on December 25, 2008, 06:44:53 PM
Thanks for the nice comments everyone!  I will try to post more shots of her in the near future.   ;D
Title: Re: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: JudyB on December 25, 2008, 07:44:13 PM
she is beautiful.  Way to go.  I am looking forward to seeing more of what you have described.
Title: Re: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: Pat on December 25, 2008, 11:10:43 PM
Looking forward to seeing your others, Kathleen.  Just fill up this topic with kestrals!  IN THE WILD!  HAHAHAHA
Title: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: Don on December 26, 2008, 09:33:19 AM
QuoteI saw the pair of them

A pair of them, not one but two. You lucky,lucky girl!!

QuoteSorry, Don, that you had to brave the outdoors and elements.  So, did you get any good shots?

Nope, nothing for me on this attempt. :'(

Please let us see more when you have time. :thumbsup:
Title: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: shutterbugmom on December 26, 2008, 05:02:15 PM
Okay, you asked for it...more Kestrel photos!

Isn't she sweet?  Doesn't seem like she would hurt a fly, does she?

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shekinahphotography.com%2Fimg%2Fv6%2Fp709902642-4.jpg&hash=610bde77cc7f795d39040fd9110909b3fc61af26)
Title: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: shutterbugmom on December 26, 2008, 05:05:18 PM
She's now moved into position above our bush where the sparrows are.

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shekinahphotography.com%2Fimg%2Fv5%2Fp841755461-4.jpg&hash=366acf5fad8b552d664d3952e911c636cec15457)

Now she watches and waits...

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shekinahphotography.com%2Fimg%2Fv4%2Fp701314094-4.jpg&hash=fc8beec7d5c068ada8abc3fd0e26a17029d4630d)
Title: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: shutterbugmom on December 26, 2008, 05:20:29 PM
She gets hard to see in these shots, but she flew down so fast and I was zoomed out in an effort to catch her in flight after seeing just how fast she takes off.  She blends in with the bush, too.  These are cropped and still too far away, unfortunately. 

It's amazing how fast she flew down to the bush and how she twists her wings as she attacks.  The blowing wind and snow prevented truly sharp images.  I can't wait to get my faster glass so I can get better shots.

She missed her prey this time...I hope you all enjoy these images!

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shekinahphotography.com%2Fimg%2Fv5%2Fp836170312-4.jpg&hash=7e3673994bd3842afd4281dae4c472dfa08ea36c)

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shekinahphotography.com%2Fimg%2Fv5%2Fp820913161-4.jpg&hash=b796dd725a8af3a6164e9b91cad0d2cd9526ff9b)

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shekinahphotography.com%2Fimg%2Fv6%2Fp767635559-4.jpg&hash=370aca19c4ee31ac5f8b1276f2d01fe08f354a56)

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shekinahphotography.com%2Fimg%2Fv6%2Fp928485065-4.jpg&hash=c1f05ba8bd6cb7cfe99ea4cb535297bf00565f66)
Title: Re: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: JudyB on December 26, 2008, 05:37:39 PM
KAthleen thses are beautiful.  I have been showing my DSIL who loves falcons.  He was amazed at how close you got to her.  Way to go!
Title: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: shutterbugmom on December 26, 2008, 06:28:20 PM
Thanks, Judy. 

Ya, these birds are jay-sized, so they are quite small and more difficult to photograph.  I thanked God for bringing them so close to me.   :)
Title: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: shutterbugmom on December 26, 2008, 06:34:42 PM
Here's another...

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shekinahphotography.com%2Fimg%2Fv5%2Fp739812531-4.jpg&hash=97111b3c31ee4153fbcd83fec5583a49a258ff65)
Title: Re: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: Pat on December 26, 2008, 11:55:22 PM
Fantastic to see these, Kathleen.

I'd love to have been in your position and captured these shots.  One you got the whole tail and that was wonderful to see.
Title: Re: American Kestrel
Post by: shutterbugmom on December 30, 2008, 12:41:31 PM
Here's another shot of that American Kestrel from the thread A Kestrel Christmas Eve...This is after she missed her prey in the bush.  She just sat there before flying back up on our trellis.

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shekinahphotography.com%2Fimg%2Fv4%2Fp560702205-3.jpg&hash=d7464108a1528feaf6ba5ed429f85c76cb9660a3)
Title: Re: Re: American Kestrel
Post by: Pat on December 30, 2008, 01:39:19 PM
What a wonderful visitor you had, Kathleen.

Thanks so much for sharing these.
Title: Re: American Kestrel
Post by: shutterbugmom on December 30, 2008, 02:14:11 PM
Thanks, Pat.  I enjoyed her visit very much. 

As I told someone else, I think I got spoiled with the hawk, the falcon and then the northern flicker coming to my yard because the past two days there's only been the usual mourning doves, finches and sparrows.  I keep looking out and feel a little sad when there's nothing spectacular or different out there.  haha  :lol:
Title: Re: American Kestrel
Post by: Marilyn on December 30, 2008, 10:20:36 PM
She's beautiful great shot.
Title: Re: Re: American Kestrel
Post by: JudyB on January 10, 2009, 04:13:16 PM
I understand that feeling!
Title: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: Pat on January 28, 2009, 02:27:11 PM
Has this kestral been back, Kathleen?
Title: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: shutterbugmom on January 28, 2009, 02:32:08 PM
Quote from: Pat on January 28, 2009, 02:27:11 PM
Has this kestral been back, Kathleen?

Sadly, no, but the hawk has been back and the Northern Flickers are daily visitors now.  They know they can get fresh water from our pond.  Last week we had our first pine siskins to our feeders.  I'm logging what birds we see each day.  It's very fun!
Title: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: Pat on January 28, 2009, 02:36:44 PM



I've never seen one of those, Kathleen.  I wonder if it's a western bird.

How far away from the house are your feeders?
Title: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: shutterbugmom on January 28, 2009, 02:55:19 PM
I have two hoppers and a sock feeder about 12 feet from my back door.  Then, I have two suit feeders.  One about 14ft and one about 20 feet from my back door.  Our pond is right below my living room window.

The Kestrel was about 22 feet from my blind out on top of our trellis.  It was hunting the house sparrows that nest in the bush.
My Audubon field guide to birds, western region says "Range: Breeds from Alaska and Northwest Territories east through Maritime Provinces and south throughtout continent.  Winters north to British Columbia, Great Lakes, and New England.  Also in American tropics."

She may have been back at a time when I wasn't looking or home.  That day she was only there for about an hour.  Maybe since she didn't catch anything that day she decided not to come back.  Who knows?

Title: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: shutterbugmom on January 28, 2009, 03:00:46 PM
Here's an image from the last time the sharp-shinned hawk was here...

(https://www.christianphotographers.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.shekinahphotography.com%2Fimg%2Fv5%2Fp519031648-4.jpg&hash=44fd2db53ebd83396e9d7bce391404ab81114aaf)

Sure wish I had a longer, faster zoom with IS.
Title: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: ScottyBoy on January 28, 2009, 03:44:05 PM
Beautiful pictures. My sister, Courtney, will love these.

Just out of curiosity, what is the longest lens you have?
Title: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: shutterbugmom on January 28, 2009, 06:06:47 PM
Thanks, Scottyboy. 

My longest digital lens right now is a 75-300mm zoom, but I am hoping to upgrade to a better lens soon.  :)
Title: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: ScottyBoy on January 28, 2009, 07:51:14 PM
I have a 75-300 too. Does yours have IS or USM? I wanted to get USM with mine, but it was over priced in my opinion.

It would be really cool to have one of these. Link (http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=154&modelid=16358) You know how they say you're supposed to focus on the eye? Well, with this lens, the eye will fill the frame! Can't miss it.
Title: Re: A Kestrel Christmas Eve
Post by: CapturedByGrace on February 24, 2009, 11:51:37 PM
Wow, what great pics of this beauty!  Love the detail in the feathers in the first one.  She looks very sweet.  I love birds.  They seem so innocent.  Thanks for sharing these beautifully photographed birds.   :)