OptImistic by TwoPynts
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Description
When I met this little fellow, something about him seemed really positive and optimistic. His gaze seemed to say, "Today is the day I catch me that Foghorn Leghorn." ;o) Or maybe it was the encouraging presence of his big COUSIN nearby.
Olympus C5050 and PhotoshopCS
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AMERICAN KESTRAL (Falco sparverius)
Length: 8-10 in. (male); 9-11 in. (female)
Weight: 3.4-4.5 oz. (male); 3.6-5.3 oz. (female)
Wingspan: 20-22 in. (male); 21-24 in. (female)
Common Names: sparrow hawk
Etymology:
falco (Latin) - refers to sickle-shaped talons or the shape of the wings in flight; sparverius (Latin) - "striped" - refers to underparts of immature wing
Description:
The widespread American kestrel is the smallest North American falcon and one of our most common and colorful raptors. It is one of the few raptors with different color plumages in males and females. The back of the female's wings and tail are rusty brown with fine dark barring. The male's wings are blue gray and the tail is red with a wide dark subterminal band and a white tip. Both sexes have two dark mustache marks (malar stripe) and markings on the back of the head, which gives the appearance of two dark eyes (called ocelli) and a beak. Immatures have a lot of barring on their back and more streaking and buffy on chest.
Flight:
Their active flight is light and buoyant, and they are the only North American falcons to hunt by hovering. Will chase birds in direct rapid flight, but usually hunt insects and small mammals from prominent perch.
Voice:
A rapid, high klee klee klee or killy killy killy.
Habitat:
Kestrels prefer open country, mountains, moorlands or grasslands.
Distribution:
Common throughout North America. Northern populations are migratory, some move as far south as Central America. In the Carolinas, populations are highest in winter.
Nesting:
A cavity nester (nest boxes should face east and in an open area), usually in old woodpecker holes. Will nest in manmade boxes. 6-7 weeks of copulation behavior. Lays 4-6 eggs; females do most of the incubating (male-4 hours per day), which lasts about 29-30 days. Both male and female have brood patches. Age at first flight is usually between 28-31 days.
Food:
Rodents, insects (especially grasshoppers in summer), birds, lizards and snakes. Have tominal tooth in beak (extra notch).
To find out more, visit The Carolina Rator Center.
Comments (28)
oscilis
Fantastic feathers and interesting description. I tried to photo an eagle the other day and got a photo of just blue sky!
SNAKEY
He sure is in his best elements and thats a wonderful feather capture. Very nice , sharp, crisp image......Bravos!!!:O))
LICORNEDECRISTAL
beau portrait pour ce bel animal!!!!!!!
marybelgium
another fantastic portrait ! excellent capture !
diomedes66
Very nice composition and wonderful detail and texture.. bravo, well done!
Fruit_Passion
An animal honesty to have eyes of falcon I would not like to be between these claws. Cheer ;)
vlaaitje
such a wonderful details..love it
Haeberle
Wooooow, what a nice hawk !!! Excellent work !!!
Victoira
Very -very beautiful... Andf colour too. WEll done.. "My Vote"
nelsone
Gosh, he looks so different from the western kestrel. Amazing detail!
sossy
gorgeous portrait! fantastic colored featherdress and other details! a wonderful shot! ;o)
Akinom
Magnificent!!! So crisp and clear! Love the colours and the light, too!
blacq_nyght_vampyre
Beautiful photo and Fantastic story and place!!!
andersine
Very -very beautiful so crisp and clear Susanne
Lledeline
Wonderful capture.
Cosme..D..Churruca
Amazing shot...
fap77
Sharp, sharp, sharp as an excellent bird portrait must be. Very well done!
Ladyhawk
WAY COOL~~ a nice young 1, just about to molt to, beautifull catch must be kestral day this is about the 2cd or 3rd I've seen BRAVO!!!!!!(V)!!!!!!!:0) @-}--
crooster1
WOW! Excellent shot and well worth waiting for. Love it.
logiloglu
a wonderful portrait photography. excellent done !!!!!!!! #:O) !!!!!!!!!!
parb1194
Simply outstanding capture of this wonderful Raptor.. Excellent!!!!! ;o)
hotracer2
awesome portrait!!!! great composition and wonderfull background!!!"V"
cynlee
you were lucky to have such a good background & could get close enough!! another great shot :]
WandM
He has a melancholic expression. Great capture of this beauty!
Egmont
Love this image. The Kestral appears not only optimistic but proud! Thank you for the additional information. V
tvernuccio
sigh. oh man you're good! why do i only see robins and sparrows??? LOL! another first-rate image! vote!
jcv2
Can almost hear it screaming high in the air! sigh Excellent capture of this wonderful bird!
sadlers5
he is so cute i love his little beak! wonderful expression! ann :)