Male American Kestrel fluffed up on a cold Utah morningMale American Kestrel fluffed up on a cold Utah morning – Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/125, ISO 400, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

While working on my new photo galleries I came across this image of a male American Kestrel fluffed up on a cold Utah morning taken back in the winter of 2010. I have quite images of kestrels photographed on this perch at Farmington Bay WMA but it fell down some time ago. I miss that perch!

The one problem with that perch was that it was east of the road and getting decent images meant being south of the perch to take images so the birds wouldn’t be totally back lit but even being south of the perch meant the subject would be at least side lit. The blue in the background is actually the shaded western slope of the Wasatch Mountains photographed through a heavy fog that was rising from one of the water units at the WMA.

I adore American Kestrels and will photograph them whenever I can. American Kestrels might be North America’s smallest falcon but they make up for their size by having big attitudes! This one was taking a break from hunting and warming up in the rays of the rising sun.

The weather here has been tormenting me because of clouds and crappy light. Maybe, just maybe I will be able to get back out into the field on Saturday. I hope so because my bird photography addiction needs to be fed.

Life is good.

Mia

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