A blazing hot afternoon, and a mini-trek over Sheepcote Valley in search of kestrels. They made it easy. I spotted the first one as I drove in to the empty(!) car park. It was perched on the fence, having hopped over from the road side as I drove in. There’s an odd colour cast on this shot, but I like the business of it all, and it was the first shot of the day.
Male kestrel perched on wooden post at the Sheepcote Valley car park
This next one is altogether more conventional…
Kestrel in flight under blue sky
It was out hunting, and between perches picked up a small snack (a speckled bush cricket, I think).
Kestrel at with speckled bush cricket
Kestrel eating
The young male eventually flew off into the distance. A female then appeared, perched along the fencing that runs between the fields and the local golf course.
Female kestrel at Sheepcote Valley
Brown on beige
Note the brown head (as opposed to the grey of the male)
Kestrel cruising over the golf course at Sheepcote Valley
The heat got to me. I headed back to the car. Andthere he was again. The young male perched on a street lamp.
Kestrel perched on street lamp
Back to watching from a handy perch
Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D Mark II and EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM lens.
