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.
And in this context I do mean stomping. First a brief explanation of the behavior, one I’ve seen multiple times with this species but have only rarely been able to photograph.
In some of these images the Hooded Mergansers have fish prey and in some they don’t but all photos document various behaviors.
I’ve documented a relatively insignificant but interesting and even amusing event in the life of a bird and I even managed to get a shot that I often attempt but rarely get with this species.
It’s been weeks since I’ve been able to go shooting when we’ve had decent light and then yesterday afternoon the sun miraculously came out for a few hours and within seconds I got a mated pair of “lifers”. Go figure.
I figured my readers deserve to know one of the reasons I’ve been posting so many older photos lately.
I know I’ve posted a lot of harrier photos over the years but I do love them, as evidenced by the vanity plate on my pickup and the graphic at the top of my blog.
They say that a little motion blur can be a good thing because of the action it implies. I’m far from convinced that’s true but opinions may (or may not) vary.
I don’t believe I’ve ever been colder while photographing birds than I was with these grouse on their lek
