Everything is Permuted

It feels like it's been quite a while since I had a really good afternoon with the kestrels, but the sun was bright today and I had a good feeling that my luck would be in. Sure enough a female was out hunting in the valley. Or rather, she was hunting all over Sheepcote Valley and led me a merry dance as I followed her around. Good exercise though!



During one of her hovers she attracted the casual attention of some gulls. They didn't mob. It was more a case of investigating and moving on. In this shot the gull is a little closer to the camera (but not too much), but it gives a rough approximation of the difference in size.









There are a few more shots from today in the Kestrels 2009 album. You need to go to the end of the album for today's shots.

The other reason I headed to this location was that last time I was there I saw a stoat. The moment was too fleeting to photograph it, but I have a fair idea of its home territory and went to have another look today. I saw a movement, probably the stoat, but even more fleeting than the previous time. So I can't really claim a sighting, just enough of a hint to encourage me to go back when I have the chance. I suspect I'll need to sit and wait... and wait. Or set the camera up on a tripod with a radio trigger and hide myself away. But I'm sure it's there.

Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 40D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.