Male American Kestrel resting near the shore of the Great Salt LakeMale American Kestrel resting near the shore of the Great Salt Lake – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/2500, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

I was going to do a post about a Bald Eagle this morning but at the last minute had a change of mind and decided to work up this male American Kestrel that I photographed resting near the shore of the Great Salt Lake.

The causeway to Antelope Island State Park used to be a great place to find and photograph these handsome little falcons but over the past two winters I have not seen nearly as many. That may be because of a decline in the vole population, at least I hope they have moved to more fertile hunting grounds and that it isn’t because the kestrel population in Utah is declining.

This image was taken two years ago this month when the level of the Great Salt Lake was higher than it is now, if I were to photograph a kestrel on this same bush today the background would be that of the mudflats not the beautiful blue water seen in this photo.

Mia

Click here to see more of my American Kestrel photos plus facts and information about this species.