The Kestrel.....

[Clicker]

Our most common bird of prey  possibly only outnumbered lately by the common  Buzzard, This handsome bird is seem most often, hovering over the verges of roads and motorways looking for it's food  of insects small voles, rodents and even bats sometimes . despite a wingspan of  60-80 cms  it is remarkably light weighing only 220 grams I suppose I might be lucky to get a  photo of  one in flight one day as it hovers so often ...

[Denis]

A very good study of one I love Kestrels Clicks,look at the proportion of eye to the beak !

Although I know of the nesting sites of two pairs near to me they are very hard to photograph.They see me coming no matter how steathily I approach and take flight..always away from me.

[Clicker]

Well this was at the International Centre for Birds of Prey, near Hereford ... so I had a captive audience so to speak...  it is one of my favourite falcons too Denis. 

[loki]

gorgeous portrait of a magnificent bird.  the light is as close to perfect as you could have asked for.

[Clicker]

It was a decent light that afternoon Loki......   so I was lucky .. I’m not a big fan of really sunny days and bright light unless it’s to backlight something or somebody  but I do love big pearly oyster skies full  of interesting clouds when I am shooting landscapes . I imagine if you are somewhere in the central plains you must have big skies ...

 Thanks for your input ... we don’t have many members from over the pond so it’s really  good to see your regular posts since you joined us ... we are a small but friendly bunch on here ... how did you find us by the way ... just surfing ....?

[Craig]

A great study Clicker. 
You don't need to have an eagles eye to see how totally pin sharp this shot is!

The lighting is perfect as is the plain dark BG.

Craig  

[CanonChrissy]

Lighting on this one is lovely.

[Clicker]

Thank Craig and Chrissie... Nice to see you two again ...... 

[Hatter]

A great portrait - The lighting works really well.