American Kestrel (female)

I went for a hike with the family today and brought the camera gear just incase.
Usually I hike with it out but this time i just wore the backpack with my stuff in it.

I said to my wife, "I hope I see a Kestrel perched on top of a Saguaro". Sure enough... There were 2 (one male first and one female second) but the first one didnt let me get very close at all and I deleted the pics.
These are heavy crops but the detail was usable even though I would have liked better detail. Meh, the almost noon sun hurt the pics too but I need to stop making excuses now and just
put the pics up.

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/qicC​KN

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/qzKB​KB

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/pCZk​Xz

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/qzFL​GQ

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/qzKA​SV

IMAGE LINK: https://flic.kr/p/qikx​bc

Nice shots. It seems like whenever I don't have my camera I end up missing some interesting birds.

Thanks.

I wasn't going to bring it but I figured I would just leave it in the backpack and hike with an extra 15lbs of camera and lenses. No biggie.

Very nice Jeremy.. Great shots. So that is how the female looks like. Thanks.

Very nice Jeremy. They usually are quite difficult to get close to.

Thanks Peter and John.

They are pretty difficult but this lady was not bad at all.
I know the first pic is soft. It sucks because I was closest for that shot. Sometimes I miss focus. Ugh!

My Goodness that sky is so blue. Please send some of that sunshine Michigan way.

(A shot of a Gilded Flicker on a saguaro would be nice to see too. Some day I will get there and try for one myself)

Those are great Jeremy! On the very rare occasion I see one its on a light pole or telephone pole about 200 yards away! You got one perched on a cactus! Excellent.

Anytime you can get this good a shot of the AK you are doing great! I can see them everyday, but rarely do they let you get very close.

I see you have read the book, "The Secret!" You visualized it, and it happened! No excuses needed for these photos Jeremy, be proud of them...I would be!

jhayesvw wrote in post #17355195
I said to my wife, "I hope I see a Kestrel perched on top of a Saguaro".

RL]

some have all the luck - nice shots

Thanks Greg, Craig, rwingsfan, Sandy and Watt100.

I do get lucky pretty often. Is it still luck when it happens a lot? Lol

Watt, you are the lucky one. You have the sharpest 100-400 v1 I've ever seen.

A lovely little lady. Nice catch !

Thanks Brad.