![Fast female falcon flyby Fast female falcon flyby](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50703759252_40f791c45f_b.jpg)
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)](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50702935938_c66cc34c5e_b.jpg)
![A female American kestrel makes a fast getaway. (© Tony's Takes)](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50702936088_b6c2a0c22e_b.jpg)