American Kestrel Preening on a Rabbitbrush Perch

American Kestrels are pugnacious and skittish little falcons that are usually difficult to approach.  But last week I found a cooperative male warming himself in the early morning sun while perched on rabbitbrush.   Though feisty by nature this kestrel looked almost cuddly while all puffed up against the cold and nestled into the bush. 

 

 1/2000, f/8, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc

I first approached him head-on which gave me some images where bird and perch combined to produce a pyramid shape that I liked. 

 

 

  1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc

But then I maneuvered to get a different angle so that at least part of the tail would be visible. 

In these early shots my camera settings were meant to give me enough shutter speed for the take-off that I fully expected.

 

 

 

 1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 250, 500 f/4 

But when he began to groom contentedly I started fiddling with my settings to get shutter speeds and depth of field more appropriate for the situation.  Here he is passing one of his tail feathers through his bill in typical preening behavior.

 

 

  1/1600, f/8, ISO 250, 500 f/4 

 He gave me a variety of preening poses that I liked.

 

 

 1/1250, f/8, ISO 250, 500 f/4  

Some of the neck feathers are difficult to reach so they go through some strange contortions in an effort to get to them.

 

 

 1/1600, f/8, ISO 320, 500 f/4  

Here the eye was half closed but I was still able to get a catch light. 

 

 

 1/1600, f/8, ISO 320, 500 f/4

I missed a catch light in this shot but I still liked the interesting pose and the good look at the red on the top of the head.

 

 

1/2000, f/8, ISO 320, 500 f/4

 A mini wing-stretch…

 

 

 1/1600, f/8, ISO 320, 500 f/4

and then a vigorous shake at the end of grooming to rearrange all the feathers.

 

 

 1/1600, f/8, ISO 320, 500 f/4

And finally, what looks like an enthusiastic yawn although I’m fairly sure that it was actually an early attempt at regurgitating a pellet. 

I spent over 25 minutes photographing this beautiful and accommodating male – an unusual treat for me.  And he even chose a natural and attractive perch rather than the ugly post or wire that is the usual choice of the species.  Good bird! 

Ron