The Lazy Kestrel

Even the kestrels, it seems, are succumbing to the heat. I went in search of them this afternoon but the skies were empty. I had nearly given up hope of seeing any when, in the distance, I spotted a familiar outline glide into a tree.
Kestrel in a tree

She was not feeling particularly cooperative and by the time I'd got within a reasonable range, she took to the wing. Just a short flight, until she found a perch up on one of the street lights by the main road.
Kestrel on a street light

She moved away from there, and I lost track for a while. Just before I left the site I decided to sit down for 10 minutes, with the sun behind me, to see if she'd reappear. She didn't. I packed up the camera, turned and stepped about three yards. She been perched behind me, on a low fence by the rail along the race track.
Kestrel on a fence

That was this afternoon. Tonight, no foxes; but one of the hedgehogs decided to tolerate the camera as it went in search of snails (I could hear the crunching whenever it disappeared under the shrubs).
Hedgehog

Oh, and one more of the the 3D series…

3d sceneClick to enlarge
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Camera note: all kestrel shots taken with the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens. The rest were taken with the EF 24-105 F4L IS USM lens.

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This Post Has 10 Comments

  1. gdare

    5 Jul 2009

    😆 This kestrel was playful 😀
    Your garden animals are getting used to your presence :yes:

  2. Ukwildlife

    5 Jul 2009

    kestrel can be awkward sometimes. Everytime Ive been close to one in a hover its been in front of the sun! great pics

  3. SittingFox

    5 Jul 2009

    That second picture of the hedgehog is so cute! And I guess even raptors get a little lazy sometimes :zzz:

  4. Dudley

    5 Jul 2009

    Heat Wave! In my neck of the woods it is a Rain Wave! May and June was one of the wettest on record. We finally have a few days of sun now.

  5. Words

    6 Jul 2009

    Darko, yes she was teasing me :eyes: The hedgehog was too intent on hunting snails to worry about me (for once).

  6. Words

    6 Jul 2009

    Neil, it's a bit hit and miss but I can't really complain about them having the occasional 'difficult' day. I have to say though that I find the males easier to photograph for some reason.

  7. Words

    6 Jul 2009

    Adele, the hedgehogs have been little stars lately.

  8. Words

    6 Jul 2009

    Andy, the weather seems to have broken here. It's a lot cooler, and windy. Some rain forecast as well. I can't complain… it's been a good summer so far. Glad you finally got some sunshine in your neck of the woods. It always looks like you have great light!

  9. Words

    7 Jul 2009

    Thanks Erwin!

  10. Wulpen

    19 Oct 2012

    Great pict :up:

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