Back in August with little explanation I posted a single older photo of this male American Kestrel as he struggled to become comfortable on his spiky, spindly perch. Today, while I’m waiting for our recent inclement weather to clear so I can get back out in the field again (it’s been raining for days), I thought it would be fun to post an entire series of his struggles to remain on his poorly chosen perch. And to provide more information about what was going on.
The photo I posted in August is similar to one of these seven photos (photo #5), but all of today’s images are new to Feathered Photography.
When he landed here he’d grasped a clump of the spindly twigs in his feet so that collectively they’d support his weight but several of them were preventing him from folding his wings comfortably against his body. For quite a while he seemed to accept that discomfort so I got lots of photos of him with one or both of his wings in awkward positions.
But when he moved slightly on his perch in order to grasp more of the twigs in his feet, his discomfort increased. Eventually it became too much for him.
So he tried to rearrange his feet to put his body at a different angle that would prevent the twigs from interfering with his folded wings.
But that only made things worse because now the twigs were interfering with both his wings and his tail.
Sticking both of his wings and his tail almost straight up kept them away from the annoying twigs but it certainly looked awkward and uncomfortable.
Eventually he’d had enough aggravation. He raised his wings and…
took off away from me.
So I didn’t get any quality takeoff shots but I’d certainly been entertained for a while.
Ron
Note: Image techs for these photos are in the range of 1/2000 – 1/3200, f/6.3 – 7.1, ISO 320, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc.
Late comment here.
Love those little falcons. Beautiful shots.
When I first started out in falconry, a female Kestrel was my first bird. Named her Angel. Never could get her to hunt, but free flew her along a bluff for a season, then released her back to the wild in good shape. It was a real honor to share that time with her.
These photos brought back a flood of nice memories.
Thanks Ron.
Lovely Kestrel photos, Ron! Just delightful. I am more than just a wee bit jealous that you are able to photograph these amazing little falcons. They have disappeared from my area.
“So I didn’t get any quality takeoff shots but I’d certainly been entertained for a while.”
Beautiful series and entertainment for your readers as well!
Thank you, Duane. Good to know.
The kestrel managed MUCH better than I would. And was more patient too. Thanks for the early morning smiles.
You’re very welcome, EC.
TOO funny! 🙂 Bound and determined to make that perch work! Beautiful little assassin – surprised he got free without damage…… 😉
Cool/windy/light rain the past few days – no freeze yet tho – unusual for us!
‘surprised he got free without damage”
Judy, I think he had some feathers ruffled, literally and figuratively, but nothing much worse than that.
What a sensational series! thanks for sharing!!
Charlotte Norton
Thanks, Charlotte.
5-1/2 ounces precariously hanging onto those thing twigs won’t last very long. You did not need any takeoffs after these beautiful shots. One of my favorites, and as I have mentioned before, I work with the Kestrel restoration folks here. Excellent work Ron.
“I work with the Kestrel restoration folks.”
Good. These days kestrels need all the help they can get. Thanks, Everett.
Quite the ballet! Lovely shots.
Thanks, Brett.
What a beautiful series– shots 1 through 4 are all gorgeous in my
opinion, #3 being my favorite for composition. I can’t imagine a
more visually captivating subject, and the sparse surroundings offer
context without competition for the lovely bird they surround……
Thanks, Kris. The kestrel made the photographer look good. But then, if you can get them in your viewfinder, kestrels usually do.