This first photo shows the result of a “plop” landing in the snow. The second shot isn’t much more dignified.
1/1600, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
This male kestrel had recently landed in thick snow on top of rabbitbrush. His “landing gear” broke through the snow which left his tail, wings and some of his other feathers all splayed out and askew on top of it. Then he looked back at me with a silly look on his face and tried to look dignified anyway.
The sidelight isn’t ideal but the photo still brings a grin to my face.
1/1600, f/8, ISO 320, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
With this male there was no snow on the rabbitbrush and I caught him in the middle of a rouse which gave him a bit of a squinty-eyed look but I like his jumbled up, disorganized pose against the clean background.
Both of these photos are almost ancient, taken in January of 2012. I posted this last shot seven years ago but as far as I know the only current blog follower who has seen it is Elephants Child.
Back then I processed the image poorly so I wanted a do-over.
Ron
Note:
I sometimes feel a little guilty when I poke fun at my beloved birds by posting photos of them that don’t show them at their best and most dignified. Recently I saw a meme on Facebook that may partially explain my rationale. I’m far from a meme fan as I think the vast majority of them are drippingly and insipidly over-sentimental, oversimplified or even cruel. But recently I saw a meme that struck a chord with me.
“If you want to know what someone fears losing look at what they photograph”.
Nuff said.
Re: the second photo: did you check the Rabbitbrush for an egg? Sure looks like one is on the way. Glad you found the photos from the Wayback Machine (or is it WABAK?; in either case, good one Marty K). Also, I’d love to hear an explanation of the “f8” days, deliberate or not.
Lyle, when I was still a wet behind the ears bird photographer and my 500mm lens was new to me I read somewhere that f/8 was the “sweet spot” for that lens, meaning that that aperture setting provided the sharpest shots. So I used to shoot at f/8 come hell or high water!
Don’t believe everything you read!
Cute!
🙂
The first shot is adorable.
Thanks, Jean.
An old racing adage–sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug. Or more succinctly, Ca-ca happens (with amazing regularity)! Given that raptors are nearly always majestic, every now and again, they get to be undignified 😉
I love Kestrels! Despite their diminutive size, they WILL take you down and eat you. It might take a while, but they’ll get it done! 😉
As for the anthropomorphizing, you know, if it looks like a duck, waddles like a duck and quacks like a duck, chances are good it’s a duck!! We’re FAR more alike than we are different and coming to THAT realization is a good thing.
It’s also a Mary Chapin Carpenter adage of sorts, Laura. 🙂
I do love travelling back in time with you.
And that meme hits home here too. I rarely take photos of people, and mostly devote myself to taking photos of the natural world…
I also love seeing birds being a tad undignified. I so often envy their grace, power and style it is nice to be reminded that even they have their moments.
Well said, EC.
I never thought I’d see a Kestrel looking sheepish…
I always enjoy your trips in the Dudley Wayback Machine. 😃
He’s looking sheepish indeed, Marty
That “Dudley Wayback Machine” is getting more of a workout than usual with this overcast weather pattern we’re in.
Dudley Wayback Machine!!! That’s fantastic!! As are the photos!!! We love kestrels!!
Nicky, Marty gets credit for the name. I only get credit for the rather dubious distinction of having the machine…
Love the first shot. His many beautiful colors, patterns and his look of embarrassment 😊
Some memes are perfect for an occasion ❗️
Thanks, Diana.
What a handsome guy. Love the Kestrels and he is a good one. Great shots Ron out of the archives. Much appreciated.
Thank you, Everett.
I love both regardless if they were taken back in the “f/8” days.
Good memory about my “f/8 days”, Elmer.
However in this case I was shooting at f/8 deliberately in an effort to get as much of the rabbitbrush in focus as possible.
At least for me, the more I hang around birds the more I tent to lean toward anthropogenic explanations of their antics. The first kestrel photo begs for the bird’s comment to you: “What the —– are you looken at?” Love it and them!
“the more I hang around birds the more I tent to lean toward anthropogenic explanations of their antics”
Over the years I’ve had the same tendency, Frank.
Love both pictures…I so often only see these birds sitting on roadside wires scanning the ditches looking for their next meal. If the first were a female I would say she had a bit of a flirtatious or coy look about her but I don’t know what to call it being that it is a male. Unique for sure! The second I would say would pass for a nest sitter patiently waiting for it’s mate to return…but both are a joy to look at! Thanks for a good start to my day!
“The second I would say would pass for a nest sitter”
Very observant, Kathy. I have other photos of that bird where that’s exactly what it looks like he’s doing as he’s nestled down in the fluffy rabbitbrush.
Fun! 🙂 “And what’s YOUR problem?” Think it’s cuz we all end up in undignified positions now and then that are embarrassing that we so like things like this…… 😉 Still a beautiful bird. I LIKE that meme…… 🙂 Not much “blow” here yesterday and snow settling – don’t know about up N where they still have some high winds and severe driving conditions. SD plane crash took out several generations of men from one family in St. Anthony, ID where my cousin lives – small community and horrendous for all. 🙁
Thanks, Judy.
I’ve been reading about that SD plane tragedy. Plane crashes have had significant impacts on folks close to me. Years ago my wife’s father was killed in a plane crash and several of her siblings terribly injured. Another very close friend in high school lost both of her parents and several siblings in a plane crash. Such incidents have severe effects on families and loved ones for generations.
Doesn’t happen near as often as vehicle accidents BUT when it does……. 🙁
Sorry to hear about the plane crash Judy. Hugs for your community.