My OperaKestrel Feeding Photo Special
Saturday, February 12, 2011 11:53:49 PM
I spent the afternoon watching kestrels. The light was good, and the kestrels were hungry 
Perfect.
The first one I spotted was some distance away and although I tend to prefer 'close' shots, this one (a female) was hovering against a perfect backdrop of clouds.
I started to follow her as she scanned the ridge of the valley, gradually catching up with her as she paused in search of prey.
I eventually lost track of her, but a male was even more cooperative.
He disappeared into the valley, leading me on another trek across through stubbled grass and brambles. I'd lost sight of him, but my general direction was good. Too good. I disturbed him feeding.
He came down within view, and this time I was more cautious in my approach. He was aware of me, but I perched down low and resisted moving too close. The prey is a vole. The rest of the photos here tell their own story.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
Perfect.The first one I spotted was some distance away and although I tend to prefer 'close' shots, this one (a female) was hovering against a perfect backdrop of clouds.
I started to follow her as she scanned the ridge of the valley, gradually catching up with her as she paused in search of prey.
I eventually lost track of her, but a male was even more cooperative.
He disappeared into the valley, leading me on another trek across through stubbled grass and brambles. I'd lost sight of him, but my general direction was good. Too good. I disturbed him feeding.
He came down within view, and this time I was more cautious in my approach. He was aware of me, but I perched down low and resisted moving too close. The prey is a vole. The rest of the photos here tell their own story.
Camera note: all shots taken with the Canon 7D and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L USM IS lens.
RobinRobinL # Sunday, February 13, 2011 6:33:29 AM
Darkogdare # Sunday, February 13, 2011 9:16:25 AM
Once, a hawk caught a chicken in a middle of a road in one village in Croatia. Unfortunately, a chicken was too big for him to carry it away so he started to chop it right in the spot. He didn`t care about cars and people watching him, I guess he was way too hungry
Steffiwellisteffi # Sunday, February 13, 2011 9:53:30 AM
Words # Sunday, February 13, 2011 10:08:27 AM
Words # Sunday, February 13, 2011 10:11:29 AM
Words # Sunday, February 13, 2011 10:11:41 AM
Adele BrandSittingFox # Sunday, February 13, 2011 11:33:22 AM
Exceptional sequence, too
Words # Sunday, February 13, 2011 12:10:15 PM
Words # Sunday, February 13, 2011 1:30:07 PM
Unregistered user # Sunday, February 13, 2011 4:53:38 PM
Words # Sunday, February 13, 2011 4:58:51 PM
Darkogdare # Sunday, February 13, 2011 7:13:33 PM
Originally posted by Words:
My friend who saw that told me people were stopping their cars and watched him. No one cared about poor chicken but this is how wildlife functions. One is always a prey
ERWINWulpen # Sunday, February 13, 2011 7:47:22 PM
Words # Sunday, February 13, 2011 8:23:32 PM
Originally posted by gdare:
Not even the farmer
Words # Sunday, February 13, 2011 8:23:58 PM
Sami Serolaserola # Tuesday, February 15, 2011 8:58:50 AM
Words # Tuesday, February 15, 2011 9:32:03 PM