For the first time in quite a while I spent some proper time over at Sheepcote Valley, adjacent to Brighton Racecourse at the top of the South Downs. It was muddy and cold, but the sun was just about beating out the threatening cloud cover and the wind was low. A near perfect November afternoon. All I needed was a good subject. Cue a cooperative male kestrel.

I’d spotted him as I was driving up the hill and after a few grabbed shots of him on street lamps, he headed over to a quiet corner of the valley and perched on an old industrial pipe and proceeded to preen himself. I manoeuvred around him to get some blue sky in the background.

Kestrel (male) at Sheepcote Valley, Brighton

Keeping a keen eye on the horizon

Time to preen

A good preeening!

Followed by a quick fluff

Sorted!

Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens.