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American Kestrel

Falco sparverius

Description:

This wet-from-the-rain Kestrel was sitting on a refuge sign and let me drive right up to it for this picture. These falcons will fly directly from a perch to catch prey or may hover over an open field in search of voles or mice, then dive to catch the prey.

Habitat:

Mostly open fields and grasslands.

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56 Comments (1–25)

Daniel R Hughes
Daniel R Hughes 8 years ago

Wow


Daniel R Hughes
Daniel R Hughes 8 years ago

Wow great shot


Dennis Davenport
Dennis Davenport 9 years ago

AshleyT, I actually tried to think of the comment in some other context but I did not take into consideration the possibility of micaela2 being a younger person with no negative intent. If that's the case, I apologize for my wrong assumptions and for my reply to the comment. Thanks for your comment, AshleyT.

AshleyT
AshleyT 9 years ago

Hey Dennis, take into consideration this was likely a young user. And instead of assuming they are criticizing your photo by calling "soft", try thinking they are likely calling the bird itself soft. And that is in no way criticizing your photo. Your lovely photo shows off the details very well and does indeed make this bird look very soft. Lots of young users on this site and they usually mean no harm whatsoever.

Dennis Davenport
Dennis Davenport 9 years ago

Thank you, martina1, kimberlycameron12, sofit1, HazelMarley, and Joshua Asel, for the nice comments.

As for micaela2's comment, it's too bad you have nothing better to do than to criticize my photos. Did you make the same comment on all the other 'soft' photos on project noah? Pathetic.

HazelMarley
HazelMarley 9 years ago

Cute

Josh Asel
Josh Asel 10 years ago

What a beautiful portrait. I can't believe he let you drive right up to them. Usually with something like that I suspect human imprinting. Really nice tanks for sharing :)

Dennis Davenport
Dennis Davenport 10 years ago

Thanks everyone for the kind words on my shot of the Kestrel! They are amazing birds and this one could very likely be a youngster. In my experience photographing birds, youngsters tend not to be as afraid of humans getting close as are mature birds. I guess their natural 'caution' instinct takes a while to kick in. It's been a couple years since this shot and I have not had a close up opportunity like it since. Thanks, too, to all the folks who have favorited the shot!

It is so beautiful!!
Looks like a young one? thank you for sharing, Dennis Davenport

Tina6
Tina6 10 years ago

He is sooooooo CUTE!

Tina6
Tina6 10 years ago

He is SOOOOOOO CUTE!

Nimbid Ditavi
Nimbid Ditavi 10 years ago

What an amazing spotting! Stonishing shot!

outsidegirl0
outsidegirl0 10 years ago

so cute!!!

Mona Pirih
Mona Pirih 10 years ago

Stunning..

YukoChartraw
YukoChartraw 11 years ago

One of my most favorite birds! I didn't know they live in Washington. I hope I get to see this beautiful bird with my own eyes someday!

Leuba Ridgway
Leuba Ridgway 11 years ago

What a beauty ! - he doesn't look like a raptor from this angle, does he?

NuwanChathuranga
NuwanChathuranga 11 years ago

great details !!

Dennis Davenport
Dennis Davenport 11 years ago

Thank you everyone for the nice comments!

Louisa
Louisa 11 years ago

Fantastic photo!

patty
patty 11 years ago

Beautiful American kestrel and picture Dennis; very cute =)

MayraSpringmann
MayraSpringmann 11 years ago

Fantastic!!

Danna
Danna 11 years ago

Beautiful :)

LealikiKanoa
LealikiKanoa 12 years ago

How beautiful! They have very unique, distinct vocalizations.

Lily Barth
Lily Barth 12 years ago

Cute pic!

KatCuff
KatCuff 12 years ago

Wow! Awesome job!

Dennis Davenport
Spotted by
Dennis Davenport

Ridgefield, Washington, United States

Spotted on Mar 17, 2011
Submitted on Sep 17, 2011

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