Thursday, February 16, 2012

American Kestrel Lady

In a couple of weeks, the year-long reign of the American Kestrel as ABA Bird of the Year will quietly come to an end. Because I'm a bit of a sentimental kinda guy, I was happy to spend a few moments recently at my lunch-hour birding patch with this lovely lady.

You can tell that she is a she, because a he would have slate-blue color on the wings. Usually the female kestrels I see are more dull in color, but this lovely lady had pretty sharp colors.
In spite of the pretty blue sky, it was a cold and windy day. She occasionally had to use her wings to maintain her balance on the pine tree as she watched the field below for voles.
You sweet sweet kestrel. You were a fantastic inaugural bird of the year for the ABA.

8 comments:

  1. A lovely tribute to American Kestrels as the ABA bird of the year Robert and this one is a beauty!

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  2. Wonderful post & pix, Robert! I love to watch them as they hunt over the fields and prairies.

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  3. Beautiful bird. I love watching these guys hunting:)

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  4. Robert, how lucky you are to have her so nearby! I miss seeing this species as It is very rare for me to see them here. Nice captures!

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  5. Great pictures. I have had a male spending some time in my trees and chasing my songbirds. He is welcome as long as he leaves my Lesser Goldfinch alone.

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  6. Oh my, she certainly is stunning! Beautiful plumage. Your photographs of her are terrific! It's always fun to watch kestrels hover while hunting.

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  7. Very nice tribute and photos Robert. Loved your "sweet sweet kestrel" comment.

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