Readers know that I’ve been watching and photographing “AOM” for several years now. He’s a male American Kestrel that was banded by HawkWatch International as a nestling on Antelope Island back in June of ’21. I refer to him as AOM because the green band HWI placed on his left leg has AOM stamped on it in large black letters.
I’ve become quite attached to him, but until yesterday morning I hadn’t seen him this year.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I got lots of excellent and interesting photos of him yesterday but this one is one of my favorites. In fact, this takeoff/flight posture might be my favorite kestrel flight posture ever. There are more things that I like about this photo than I care to list. Obviously, the less than attractive rooftop setting isn’t one of them but I can live with it.
I know this guy is AOM because in other photos I can see the band and the letters clearly.
I have an interesting and entertaining story, documented with photos of course, to tell about this bird on my blog but that will have to wait a day or two because I may be learning more details about that story sometime today or tomorrow.
I look forward to telling it. I suppose that’s a shameless teaser, but it is what it is.
Ron
Note: In January of 2024, when I sent photos of AOM to Jesse Watson, Research Biologist and Banding Coordinator for HWI, this was Jesse’s response:
“I’m sure you’re interested in some details on this kestrel. His colorband is Green AOM and his USGS band number is 1893-50584. He actually has a little bit of history, and your report allows us to continue broadening our understanding of how long he has survived and where he has moved. Jessica Taylor, a biologist on our Long-term Monitoring and Community Scientist team banded him at a nestbox on the northwest part of the island on 6.24.21 as a nestling. He was about 22 days old when banded (so he should be just about exactly 973 days old, today :)). He fledged along with 3 siblings, one female, and two males. He was the smallest at 99 grams (his siblings were all 110+ grams). Since then, he has been resighted and reported 5 times, not including your report. All on Antelope Island between February 16, 2022 and January 2024!”
I stared and stared at that beautiful image. His head and his stare and those markings! The patterns caused by his beautiful feathers and the markings on them are simply magnificent. Thank you, Pat
Hello, old friend! So glad he’s caught an eye for the ladies and we’ll have some little AOM-lets soon. Hope he lives a long and fruitful life.
His flight position reminds me of the little “balance toy” that I used as part of my COM/COG demos in my classroom, although that figure was more hawk-like.
I’m really looking forward to the story, you shameless tease!
Marty, shameless is my middle name!
fabulous flight shot
Thanks, Charlotte.
The kestrel is on my top ten birds list. I love their fierceness regardless of their size. This is a beautiful shot.
Thank you, Arwen.
Great photo! Burrdoo’s comments very informative & interesting as well.
Thanks, Quentin.
I’m very happy to hear that you’ve run across AOM again. I think of your previous blogs about him whenever I see a Kestrel (and there’s one hanging out around behind my house lately), so I’m looking forward to the latest stories. And the photo here is absolutely beautiful!
Glad you like it, Bill. I envy you your neighborhood kestrel. I haven’t seen one in my neighborhood for years.
Just read about his banding experience – and the fact that he was the smallest of the three – still surviving and doing well. Interesting. Thanks for sharing.
Great photo – look forward to the details.
Thanks, Judy. It’s nice to see your comments finally getting through.
Nice, I see him fairly regularly when there and have a few shots of him even over in White Rock Bay and way up on Buffalo Point. Nice to know the runt is doing so well!
Wow, he’s getting around, April. As far as I know, I’ve never seen him anywhere other than this area.
A story of raptor survival like this somehow restores my sense of optimism for the rest of us … the “runt of the litter” (so to speak) continues to thrive despite the odds, and hallelujah, you have the photographic proof!
Cannot wait for the rest of the story!
Chris, wait till you hear the rest of the story. It gets even better.
Great shot! Your comments spurred me to read this on Wikipedia:
“The American kestrel is not long-lived, with a lifespan of <5 years for wild birds.[35] The oldest banded wild bird was 11 years and 7 months,[36] while captive kestrels can live up to 14–17 years.[35] In a study, humans accounted for 43.2% of 1,355 reported deaths, which included direct killing and roadkills, while predation (including by larger birds of prey) accounted for 2.8%. This statistic is likely biased, however, as reported deaths are usually found near or in areas populated by humans.[35]
Sure hope AOM is long-lived.
“Sure hope AOM is long-lived.”
Dang, so do I, Burrdoo. I don’t believe he’s raised a family yet.
Beautiful!
That IS a stunning photo and the roof fits in well IMO… Great to find “an old friend” particularly in the bird world and a small bird at that. Looking forward to the “story”.
-24 before windchill at the moment. Been awhile since it’s gotten that cold here. UGH!
Thanks, Judy. It’s only 10 below in Cut Bank right now. Compared to you, that’s a heat wave I guess.
I’ll SAY, handsome ! And I think that rooftop is strangely complementary–it’s so funky, and he’s so sleek and handsome…..I’ll be looking forward to read the “story” you’re teasing !
Ha, “funky” is one way to put it. Thanks, Kris.
Great shot Ron and I agree, one of my favorites!
Hi Jerry. And thanks.
One of my favorite birds but I seldom get to photograph here in Rhode Island !!
Gary, I hope you get a chance with them one day soon.
Super photo Ron and he of course has been a special guy for you for a long time. I work with our restoration folks here. Their numbers continue to decline nationally, but there is hope that can be turned around. Would have been nice if he had been hovering over a mouse instead of the roof.
Thanks, Everett. Apparently he was more interested in making babies than he was in food.
Fantastic. A good day. A wonderful photograph. I’ll wager that others following your work have become attached to AOM. I know I have.
Thanks, Michael. He tends to hang out in the same area so I look for him multiple times every time I’m on the island. It’s been long enough since I’ve seen him that I was beginning to worry.