A small but mighty American Kestrel taking off in search of another meal on a cold yet sunny winters day. Just as we got close enough to this bird for a photo she took off. Too bad as I really wanted to admire that color in her wing feathers.
Denver, CO.
nature has no boss 
Great shot!
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Thanks and thanks for the feedback. We really appreciate the comments. Hope your day is going well and your week off to a flying start.
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Maybe next time for a good look at the feathers.
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Hi and yes there is always that next time. Which is great as there is always something to look forward to. Hope your week is off to a great start.
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Not too much photography at this time (Winter in Ohio), but I enjoyed spotting some bluebirds on Sunday!
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Yes, winter can be a bit quiet at times without the birds around. We are lucky to have quite a variety of waterfowl on the ponds in winter to liven things up and give us some photo opportunities. Spring is just around the corner.
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Thanks for your reply and encouragement!
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Your welcome.
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What a wonderful view of her wings and tail at work in flight.
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Hi Martha, it was a treat seeing those wings and tail feathers. The Kestrels around here seem to have a comfortable range for humans which most days for us is just out of photography range.
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Terrific shot!
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Thanks.
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Wonderful photo, Mike — I find American Kestrels so beautiful with their distinctive markings.
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HI Jet, I agree Kestrels are one of a kind and I slap love those distinctive feathers around their heads. Really makes them unique and so beautiful. Hope you are having a great week.
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Fabulous, Mike. Such gorgeous birds.
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Hi Jane, the little Kestrel is a beautiful bird.
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That is a stunning photo…. So sharp and the color is incredibly vibrant! What a great looking bird too.
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HI Laura and thanks. I agree this girl had especially vibrant colors and the sunny day sure helped them shine. Hope you are having a great week.
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It always amazes me how much a little sun can just brighten everything up… including my mood! Have a good week too 😊
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Hi here you with the mood. Sunny day sunny me.
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ya,birds do that when your approaching on the ground but when your in a boat they allow you to get closer before being spooked.
Great shot Mike!
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We have experienced the same with our land boat (car) in that it makes a much better blind than an actual blind and it moves as well. Hope your doing well and enjoying your west coast winter.
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One of the most amazing of birds. Nice catch.
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Thanks Ted, hop your week is treating you well.
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What a terrific shot, Mike. I’m curious how you get such a focused shot, literally on the fly. For this one, what were the camera settings?
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Hi Eliza, when out hunting birds we tend to keep things on shutter priority and the shutter speed above 1/1000 thus the f-stop is typically somewhere around 5.6-8 or so. On a sunny day we may have gotten a bit more DOF with a smaller aperture. Our typical lens for taking a hike is our 80-400mm Nikon.
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Absolutely beautiful – you captured her intensity. Wonderful!
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Thanks, she was a beauty and so focused. Hope your week is going well so far. Halfway to the weekend.
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Amazing Mike!!!
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Thanks, hope you are having a great week.
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Great pic as always, Mike. Love the clarity despite the motion of the bird. Do female kestrels in the US have blue-grey heads? I ask as the male kestrel in the UK is the one with the blue head. Interesting difference.
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Fabulous capture of the kestrel taking flight!!
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Thanks.
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Oh what a beautiful image!! You captured his majesty!!!
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Thanks Jenn, hope you are having a good start to your week. The little Kestrel sure is a very colorful and mighty little raptor.
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She is breathtaking!
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