Kestrels and a few other bits and pieces

I spent a long afternoon out at Sheepcote Valley today. It was surprisingly warm despite the clear signs of autumn which, according to some reports, is likely to be one of the most colourful in decades. Here's an early taster from Sussex.

The swallows are also much in evidence, feeding in advance of their winter migration. I'm keeping an eye out for the pre-flight massing along telephone wires (one advantage – possibly the only advantage – of living in an area where phone lines are still above ground).

It was while I was twisting myself in knots chasing swallows that a kestrel appeared. She was hunting across a wide swathe of grassland and only occasionally approached within proper range of the camera. It was worth the wait. This is a small selection of the hundred or so shots I took.

Now for some garden news. One of my favourite garden spiders has met her maker. Or to be more accurate, has fallen foul of another (much smaller, but more aggressive) spider. The victim had been happily inhabiting the washing-line carousel for several weeks (you can see the pole behind them), building and rebuilding large webs, and happily posing for close-ups. Sadly, no more. :bug:

We've also had a badger visiting. No photos as such, but I have uploaded a short video clip. I've also included a brief clip of me photographing Cheeky in the garden last night.


Nature Blog Network
Camera note: all shots taken with the EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens except the spider (EF 100mm f/2.8L macro IS USM).

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This Post Has 10 Comments

  1. SittingFox

    19 Sep 2010

    Oh dear, poor spider! Talk about those who live by the sword (venom?) dying by it…

    Great shots of the kestrel. I was in Pulborough late yesterday afternoon and also saw a fair number of swallows, but decided not to pursue them with the camera!

    Haven't seen a badger for a while but I'm sure they're still about.

  2. anonymous

    19 Sep 2010

    Crafty Green Poet writes:

    Those are stunning shots of the kestrel! I've had some good views of them hunting recently but haven't been able to photograph them (and wouldn't get such good photos as you have!).

    Poor spider….

    Crafty Green poet
    http://craftygreenpoet.blogspot.com

  3. gdare

    19 Sep 2010

    Saw wild gees yesterday heading south. Autumn is on its way 😀

  4. Words

    19 Sep 2010

    Darko, geese flying south! Fab 😀 Definitely a change of season.

  5. Words

    19 Sep 2010

    CGP, thanks. I have almost as many photos of kestrels as I have of foxes. The location I took those at is very kestrel friendly and you can more or less guarantee some decent photographic opportunities. These were actually on the 'long' side of things. There are a couple of male kestrels there who really don't care how close you get!

  6. Words

    19 Sep 2010

    Adele, it's tooth, fang and claw out there. I saw your shots from Pulborough. I love the landscape there.

  7. Words

    20 Sep 2010

    Thanks Erwin!

  8. Flying Red Fox Blog

    30 Sep 2010

    Very nice photos and the Badger appearing on the trailcam again :yes: hopefully he wont be shy for photos one day. It was looking nice for Autumn but appears to have gone downhill for the moment.

  9. Words

    30 Sep 2010

    Mark, the badger is showing up every few days so I may yet get some pictures. Weather is very up and down though. Today was fine (but I was busy). Saturday looks like it might be good.

  10. Wulpen

    19 Oct 2012

    Great Pict of the birds, a great video clip :up:

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