Nankeen Kestrel Puts on a Show (Hovering, Hunting)

The weekend before last I stumbled upon a spot on the coast where I saw these guys hunting but I didn't have my gear with me. This weekend the weather was glorious (Sunday) so I revisited hoping they would show up again and as we drove up there was one hovering right in front of us (I was thrilled, needless to say).

Anyhow, the location is above a beach and some scrubland that leads out to the sea so the vantage point allowed for seeing these guys sometimes hovering at the same height, straight on and, as I hope you can see, they seeming to like their pictures being taken.

I went in the afternoon, but really the lighting will be far better in the morning so a trip back is pending to get the better light (and better catch lights in the eyes, etc).

Whilst there I saw 6 lizards meet their fate as well as one mouse.

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I'm sure you already know this but there are a few cracking spots for these SW of your house on the coast.

So far I know of one, to be exact, but I keep scouting and finding new places all the time. Amazing how many raptors there are around here, which is great. Not found any wedge tailed eagles yet though, but have been told I need to head north, really. Looking forward to seeing those!

Amazing.

Andrew, these are terrific! How lucky to go back and find them again. What camera/lens combo were you using?

Thanks very much for the kind comments from you both.

Ian, these were taken with the 500mm both with and without 1.4x extender. Used a 7D and 5DIIi But these shots are from the 5DIIi which I now always switch to if subjects are closer.

Got stared at rather a lot, stumbling around in crutches with this set up, but where there's a will there's a way (move stuff on ground, hop, rinse and repeat - its a slow process). Saw a great outcrop I desperately wanted to get to but couldn't, not with my ankle broken, but once the crutches are gone I will get back and get there as the perspective is lower and I should be able to get these against the vegetation with a nice shallow DoF.

Sweet shots!

These are unbelievably good, Andrew; well done.
Al

super series, Andrew

5 words to describe these set Andrew, wow, wow, wow, wow and wow! I can't wait to see the morning shots .

Stunning shots. Wish the kestrels in this neck of the woods would hang around....if they see people, they're gone !!

Andrew, take a very long and deep bow for some quite superb photography. This is avian photography as art!

All are very, very good. Especially the last one.
Rex

Excellent.

Outstanding!!!