Female American Kestrel on a snowy Waterfowl sign – Nikon D810, f8, 1/1250, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Last winter I photographed this lovely little female American Kestrel at Farmington Bay WMA after a snow fall as she perched on a “Waterfowl Resting Area” sign. During colder weather American Kestrels can be “sticky” meaning they don’t fly off as fast as they would in warmer weather and this one was definitely sticky. As I recall she didn’t fly off and stayed in the same position for several minutes so I left her alone so she could rest and conserve energy on a cold winter day.
Typically I prefer natural perches and settings but I liked the inclusion of this sign in this image. After all it is what it is, a perch for this raptor.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my American Kestrel photos plus facts and information about this species.
It is mostly cloudy here this morning and rain combined with cooler weather is on the way. Not wintry weather but cooler all the same.
So so so lovely!!!!
What a honey.
And thank you for the image of snow as well. On this side of the world summer is pushing spring out the door already.
Wonderful photograph! Love the contrast of the warm rich plumage and the snow.
Love the soft light as winter provides, the layers behind. Let’s hope for a snowy winter here in Utah.Thank you, Mia. 🙂
A beautiful image of such a beautiful, beautiful little bird…all fluffed up against the cold…can almost feel the chill just looking at her, knowing cold weather is on its way. We’ve already had 3 or 4 frosts…not sure I’m ready for the really cold stuff yet. We had so much of the white stuff last year. I wonder if she can read. It IS a ” resting place”, but she’s obviously not a duck…maybe a duck “wannabee”….
That’s a beaut 🙂 I love how snow lights birds, gives such a pleasant light I think.
Beautiful image, Mia, like that she’s resting on that sign also.
How beautiful!