My OperaKestrel Chicks (picture special)
Monday, June 15, 2009 10:07:48 PM
I'm never sure it's a good idea to give precise locations in these instances, but the following photos were taken at a local nature reserve in Sussex. I'd gone in search of demoiselle dragonflies, but before we made it to the ponds we came across one of the nesting boxes. There were four young kestrels skipping in and out, and over a period of time we were rewarded with the adult male coming in twice with prey. The first time the chicks disappeared into the box with it. On the second feeding, the largest of the chicks kept the kill (a bank vole by the look of it) to itself.
This is a small selection of photos. There are more over on my website.
First there was one
Kestrel chick in profile
Then two more appeared
Three's a crowd
Four young kestrels
The adult is overhead
Delivering the food
Off hunting again
Second delivery
The handover
The handover continues
The greedy chick doesn't share this time
Two chicks waiting for Papa!
All the shots were taken from a safe distance away, and many are heavily cropped. I also took some video which has a fairly lengthy feeding sequence near the end. It's long (8 minutes approx).
Direct Link
Camera note: all shots were taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. The video was taken with the Sony Handycam DCR SX30, supported on a monopod.
This is a small selection of photos. There are more over on my website.
First there was oneKestrel chick in profileThen two more appearedThree's a crowdFour young kestrelsThe adult is overheadDelivering the foodOff hunting againSecond deliveryThe handoverThe handover continuesThe greedy chick doesn't share this timeTwo chicks waiting for Papa!All the shots were taken from a safe distance away, and many are heavily cropped. I also took some video which has a fairly lengthy feeding sequence near the end. It's long (8 minutes approx).
Direct Link
Camera note: all shots were taken with the EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens. The video was taken with the Sony Handycam DCR SX30, supported on a monopod.
Andy WilsonDudley # Monday, June 15, 2009 11:16:59 PM
RobinRobinL # Monday, June 15, 2009 11:52:41 PM
Words # Tuesday, June 16, 2009 12:07:30 AM
Words # Tuesday, June 16, 2009 12:09:44 AM
Loiscakkleberrylane # Tuesday, June 16, 2009 2:27:11 AM
JaneUrbanExtension # Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:39:01 AM
Darkogdare # Tuesday, June 16, 2009 4:46:21 AM
CynthiaCynthia23 # Tuesday, June 16, 2009 3:04:31 PM
NeilUkwildlife # Tuesday, June 16, 2009 7:47:06 PM
I really should have headed up to the kestrel family in Regents Park, but just havent had the time.
Words # Tuesday, June 16, 2009 9:53:39 PM
Words # Tuesday, June 16, 2009 9:56:14 PM
Words # Tuesday, June 16, 2009 9:57:25 PM
Words # Tuesday, June 16, 2009 9:57:56 PM
Words # Tuesday, June 16, 2009 9:59:15 PM
Adele BrandSittingFox # Wednesday, June 17, 2009 7:20:28 PM
Sprogger McSprogsprogger # Wednesday, June 17, 2009 7:27:39 PM
Words # Wednesday, June 17, 2009 9:25:30 PM
Words # Wednesday, June 17, 2009 9:25:56 PM
studio41 # Sunday, June 21, 2009 6:03:17 AM
Words # Sunday, June 21, 2009 8:15:30 AM
studio41 # Tuesday, June 23, 2009 2:18:15 AM
Anonymous # Tuesday, June 23, 2009 6:28:26 AM
Words # Tuesday, June 23, 2009 7:38:06 PM
Thought you might like the wagtails. I get to watch them everyday at the moment. Cute little things, but the poor adults are wearing themselves out.
Mark JonesFlying Red Fox Blog # Sunday, June 28, 2009 9:42:45 AM
Words # Sunday, June 28, 2009 10:38:19 PM