When Rough-legged Hawks dive on prey they can appear to hit the ground so hard they vicariously rattle my teeth and I almost expect them to bounce on impact.
Voles are by far the most common prey item I see American Kestrels with but occasionally I find them with a mouse or a small bird. This time, on a cold and snowy morning at Farmington Bay WMA, it was a mouse and it was still very much alive.
I have one suggestion for bird photographers, especially if you’re interested in behaviors. Don’t ignore our pugnacious friends the Pied-billed Grebes, particularly when they’re feeding. You’ll be sorry… (13 photos)
I like bird photography that includes significant hints at habitat. That goal is typically more difficult to achieve with flight shots than static shots but it can be done and this image is an example.
To the casual observer Loggerhead Shrikes may seem like just another songbird but in reality they’re fierce little predators whose prey includes arthropods, amphibians, reptiles, small mammals, roadkill and carrion. “Wannabe raptors” indeed.