Kestrels in the Valley

By Words | Published November 7, 2009

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!

kestrel

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.

kestrel and gull

kestrel

kestrel

kestrel

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

This entry was posted in Bird of Prey and tagged .

10 Comments

  1. Vulpes vulpes November 8, 2009 at 12:11 am #

    Fab shots! Good luck with that :right: stoat :left: !

  2. gdare November 8, 2009 at 7:11 am #

    Nice photos, very sharp and clear. I like third one the most. When do you plan to make that ambush for a stoat? 😀

  3. SittingFox November 8, 2009 at 8:11 am #

    Yes, good luck with the stoat – such tricky things…

    Superb kestrel photos – wow! :up:

  4. Words November 8, 2009 at 10:11 pm #

    Adele, thanks. I'd been missing the kestrels a bit.

  5. Words November 8, 2009 at 10:11 pm #

    Vulpes, thanks. The stoat may have to wait until next week (at the earliest). It would be great if I can actually find it again.

  6. Words November 8, 2009 at 10:11 pm #

    Darko, it will be at least a week or so before I try for the stoat, and then it depends on the weather. Both times it's been late afternoon. The kestrel shots are always a bit better when there's some landscape behind them. You get more of a sense of how they behave.

  7. Ukwildlife November 10, 2009 at 7:11 pm #

    great photos, the last two especially

  8. Words November 10, 2009 at 9:11 pm #

    Thanks Neil!

  9. Words November 12, 2009 at 11:11 pm #

    Thanks Lois. I had a lot of fun getting the photos.

  10. cakkleberrylane November 12, 2009 at 11:11 pm #

    Wonderful shots! Very enjoyable post!