Rise of the mini predators
I recently returned from a calm week of vacations; I was looking torwards beach days and the dolce fare niente. That's what I got; and on top of that, I also had a couple bonus birdwatching sessions! Since this week's SMAP theme is free, I'll show you the species that I was not really hoping to see, but the one that caused the bigger impression!
Kestrels were all over the place!
Most beaches around these partes are surrounded by rocky cliffs, and these guys apparently nest there, given the insane amount of specimens I've seen; basically almost every beach day had bonus kestrel sightings. So one of the afternoons I grabbed the camera and went on to see if I could get a few of them to pose; and sure enough, they did.
This is the kind of rocks that surrounds the beaches. And there it was, a lonely female scouting the horizon. She did allowed me to go a little closer...
... but she was a little shy!
Juveniles were all around, chirping frequently, with parents nearby. It was funny to see them fly solo, while one of the adults perched close.
I had never seen so many kestrels together, nor did I ever got this close before. All the juvelines could easily fly, as it invariably happened everytime I tried to push my luck.
I haven't tried to get too close though, you have to respect the wildlife and try not to stress them. But sometimes that was impossible, since they were perching pretty near the trail.
I spotted these two when I was already heading back home.
These ones seem a little more grey, so likely males, although during these early times it can be hard to tell. Regardless of the sex, they're all stunning!
Being blessed to be able to see these guys up close, and in such great numbers, was definitely one of the vacations highlights!
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What a great set of photographs that you have shared with us!
Honestly, it’s one of the best things we get out of our vacations. Time for ourselves, rest, just letting our thoughts wander without having to keep an eye on the clock.
It’s the best!
Absolutely; and already longing for the next ones! :))
Everyday they "became" more and more close... Ahaha
Uma boa semana, amigo!
Great photos of the kestrels 👍 we had lots of kestrels when we lived in California. They loved the street lamps above grassy fields. Perfect hunter perchs I suppose.
For sure; I see a lot of kestrels and buzzards using street lamps as hunting spots here as well!
Impressive sight, so many kestrels at one place! 🙂
And these photos don't do it due justice; ot top of it, juveniles were really noisy so they were even easier to spot!