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American kestrel pair enjoys a beautiful spring day

March 30, 2021 by Tony Leave a Comment

American kestrel pair enjoys a beautiful spring day
A mated pair of American kestrels hangs out in Thornton, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Well, check out this beautiful couple! Taken on Sunday, I was actually at this spot to check on an owl nest. While there, I heard the unmistakable call of these falcons and began searching for them.

It appeared there was a bit of drama going on as there was a third female and she was quite intent on stealing away a mate. This pretty lady though would have no part of that and stood by her man, ensuring the other female never got close and preventing her handsome spouse from straying too far.

My time with them actually yielded what are probably my best pics of a mated pair of American kestrels to date. I have gotten pics of pairs before but always on a wire so having them on a natural perch is a very welcome change.

In case you didn’t know, the male is on the left, the female on the right. As with most raptors, the female is the larger one. Additionally, with American kestrels, the plumage of the male and the female are quite different as you can tell. The male, most notably, when viewed from the side and behind, has some gorgeous blue coloring to it.

Taken in Thornton, Colorado.

Curious kestrel

February 10, 2021 by Tony Leave a Comment

Curious kestrel
A beautiful female American kestrel perches on a yucca plant’s stalk. (Tony’s Takes)

Driving along recently, I spotted this gorgeous female American kestrel perched alongside the road. As skittish as they are, normally I wouldn’t bother stopping but decided I would give this one a shot.

Thankfully, she turned out to be quite the willing photo subject. She calmly sat perched on a yucca plant stalk and while she was backlit, looked quite beautiful and gave me some nice looks. Here, she was a bit curious about the guy with the big lens that was focused on her.

Video slideshow: Top shots 2020 – Raptors

January 2, 2021 by Tony Leave a Comment

Oh how I love these types of birds. I previously shared my top shots of bald eagles and owls, now we look at some images of other types of eagles, hawks and falcons. Raptors are extraordinary creatures, ferocious predators but also quite beautiful and widely varied. From the tiny American kestrel to the monstrous golden eagle, all hold a special fascination for me and are quite often the focus of my images. Here’s a look back at my favorite captures of these creatures of the sky from my 2020 photo year.

American kestrel saves the photo day

December 29, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

American kestrel saves the photo day
A male American kestrel takes a flight across the Colorado skies. (© Tony’s Takes)

Some days out taking pictures just don’t turn out as planned.

This past Sunday I headed to the northern Colorado Front Range, certain I was going to have a great day with bald eagles. After over 100 miles driven I had seen a total of two eagles, none of which were close enough for pics.

Frustrated, I worked my way home, hoping to find something – anything – to take a picture of. Just a few miles east of home, I see this male American kestrel hovering over a field, ready to drop on some unsuspecting prey.

As skittish as these little falcons are, I didn’t have much hope but I stopped anyway. Much to my pleasure (and relief), he flew up and landed on a pole right by me. Three times he would go out and hunt the field, returning to the pole each time.

This allowed me to get some pretty cool shots, including this one as he returned to the pole. He looked absolutely handsome and the blue from behind the clouds really helps make the image pop. A reminder to never give up a

Fast female falcon flyby

December 3, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

Fast female falcon flyby
A female American kestrel makes a fast getaway. (© Tony’s Takes)

I could add another “F word” to describe these birds – “frustrating.”

American kestrels are quite common out on the plains of Colorado and I see them frequently. Getting good pics of them when I do see them though is not common. They are quite skittish and they have a knack for taking off in the direction that prevents a shot. Throw in the fact that they are small (North America’s smallest falcon in fact) and it is just flat out hard to get a good capture of them, particularly in flight.

This past weekend I got lucky and captured a few decent images of a female though. She was perched on a wire like they often are but this time she flew back toward me giving a few flight shots in the process. Definitely was fun.

A female American kestrel makes a fast getaway. (© Tony's Takes)
A female American kestrel makes a fast getaway. (© Tony’s Takes)
A female American kestrel makes a fast getaway. (© Tony's Takes)
A female American kestrel makes a fast getaway. (© Tony’s Takes)

American Kestrel takes a break from the hunt

November 17, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

American Kestrel takes a break from the hunt
A male American kestrel hangs out in Boulder County, Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

It has been a while since I have been able to get a good pic of one of these little falcons. They are quite skittish and oftentimes getting images of them is an exercise in frustration.

As I was walking an area open space recently, I saw this handsome guy hunting over a field. He would hover, dive, take flight, hover, dive and repeat over and over. Unfortunately for him, he just wasn’t having much luck. All that activity must have tired him out a bit as he landed on a tree next to the trail and let me get somewhat close and nab a few pictures.

American Kestrels and North America’s smallest falcon but no less ferocious than its larger cousins or any other raptor. They are very adept predators, striking their pretty from above with amazing speed and accuracy (except on this day – haha).

Handsome American kestrel provides a welcome distraction in a storm

February 24, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

Handsome American kestrel provides a welcome distraction in a storm
A male American kestrel hangs onto a mullein plant during a snowstorm. (© Tony’s Takes)

This good-looking fellow not only provided a nice photo op, he also gave me a break from my worries.

A couple of weeks ago while out taking pics in one of our snowstorms, my truck died on me (starter failure). A friend towed me to a parking lot and I waited for a tow truck to take my truck to the shop. I waited. And I waited. The first company assigned to tow me failed to show up and refused to answer calls (I’m looking at you Corderos Towing & Services!).

While I waited, not only was I frustrated, I was bored. Good thing I had my camera with me to help me pass my time!

This falcon held on tight to a nearby mullein plant while the wind and snow blew. Thankfully he was quite patient and gave me a few nice captures and a welcome distraction. While it didn’t make up for the hassle, it made the wait and the cold a bit more tolerable.

American kestrel on the hunt

January 19, 2020 by Tony Leave a Comment

American kestrel on the hunt
A female American kestrel hunts the plains of Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

Check out this pretty lady! I happened across her yesterday as she hunted a field, hovering for long periods of time over perspective prey.

Kestrels are usually pretty skittish but this one didn’t seem to mind me one bit and let me spend a good bit of time photographing her. Occasionally she would plunge into the brush after some form of prey but each time would come back empty-handed and resume her hunt.

She gave me some of the best flight shots I have ever captured of a kestrel which had me pretty excited.

American kestrels are quite common. Here in Colorado you will oftentimes find them perched on poles and wires, keeping watch on the ground below. They are North Americas smallest falcon but don’t let their size fool you. They are just as effective of a predator and just as vicious as any raptor.

A female American kestrel hunts the plains of Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)
A female American kestrel hunts the plains of Colorado. (© Tony’s Takes)

American kestrel keeping watch on the plains

December 14, 2019 by Tony Leave a Comment

American kestrel keeping watch on the plains
A male American kestrel keeps watch from a pole. (© Tony’s Takes)

It isn’t often you can get these little raptors to sit still for a picture. This past Sunday I found a male that posed every-so-briefly for me. A couple clicks of the camera and it was gone. These falcons are way cool and the males have that amazing plumage. I just wish they would let me get better pics! 😉

American kestrel in attack formation

October 17, 2019 by Tony Leave a Comment

American kestrel in attack formation
A female American kestrel (captive) in flight. (© Tony’s Takes)

This pretty lady looks like she means serious business! American kestrel’s are North America’s smallest falcons and they can be just as vicious as any raptor.

I see these often when out on my #photo drives but most pictures I have of them are while they are posing on wires. They are pretty skittish and very fast and unpredictable movers so flight shots are hard to get.

This one I captured last weekend at a photoshoot event with Nature’s Educators. It is a captive bird which allowed me to

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