Kestrel Chicks

PeterD-2009PeterD-2009 Registered Users Posts: 618 Major grins
edited June 4, 2011 in Wildlife
I discovered this nest today following a tip-off.

They are using a box installed for owls. Oh well - both are Birds of Prey.:wink

The downy feathers are being rapidly lost and replaced with flight feathers. It will not be long before these will fledge.

P6025245-Editfiltered-L.jpg

P6025261-Editfiltered-L.jpg


The Kestrel lays between 2 and 6 eggs. This is a group of 6 chicks so they have done very well. I have lots more images to process and may add to this thread.
BTW I had to use ISO 1600 due to the lighting conditions.
Cheers

Peter

http://www.imageinuk.com

Comments

  • HarrybHarryb Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 22,708 Major grins
    edited June 2, 2011
    Outstanding find Peter. I have to admit I'm a tad envious.
    Harry
    http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
    How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
  • PeterD-2009PeterD-2009 Registered Users Posts: 618 Major grins
    edited June 2, 2011
    Harryb wrote: »
    Outstanding find Peter. I have to admit I'm a tad envious.

    Thank you Harry - your comments are greatly appreciated and encouragingthumb.gif
    Cheers

    Peter

    http://www.imageinuk.com
  • IcebearIcebear Registered Users Posts: 4,015 Major grins
    edited June 2, 2011
    Holy cow! Where (in general terms) are these?!?!?
    John :
    Natural selection is responsible for every living thing that exists.
    D3s, D500, D5300, and way more glass than the wife knows about.
  • PeterD-2009PeterD-2009 Registered Users Posts: 618 Major grins
    edited June 3, 2011
    Icebear wrote: »
    Holy cow! Where (in general terms) are these?!?!?

    I obviously do not want to be specific but on the southern coast of the UK.
    Cheers

    Peter

    http://www.imageinuk.com
  • puzzledpaulpuzzledpaul Registered Users Posts: 1,621 Major grins
    edited June 3, 2011
    Great subject matter / opportunity, Peter - which you used well to your advantage here - and presumably will continue to so do as they grow.

    If I'd been nearer (E.Mids) you might've had a PM ...

    Out of interest, how close / what lens was used for these?

    pp
    Website

    Flickr
  • PeterD-2009PeterD-2009 Registered Users Posts: 618 Major grins
    edited June 3, 2011
    puzzledpaul wrote: »
    Great subject matter / opportunity, Peter - which you used well to your advantage here - and presumably will continue to so do as they grow.

    If I'd been nearer (E.Mids) you might've had a PM ...

    Out of interest, how close / what lens was used for these?

    pp

    Thank you Paul.

    These birds were just photogenic. I used the Olympus E5 with the Sigma 50-500 (commonly known as the Bigma). Focal length was 500mm and the distance was about 50ft. The problem was that these were in deep shade. All shots were hand-held but with a lot of assistance from high ISO and in-camera IS. I used centre weighted exposure which, in these circumstances, I felt to be more appropriate as the detail was very much in the dark range and I wanted to reduce the amount of noise in this area. The prints I have made came out absolutely fine with a good colour range and no noise.
    Cheers

    Peter

    http://www.imageinuk.com
  • PGMPGM Registered Users Posts: 2,007 Major grins
    edited June 3, 2011
    Another bird I have never seen before! Thanks for posting, Peter! Best, Pam
  • PeterD-2009PeterD-2009 Registered Users Posts: 618 Major grins
    edited June 4, 2011
    PGM wrote: »
    Another bird I have never seen before! Thanks for posting, Peter! Best, Pam

    Good morning Pam,

    Thanks for your reply. These are similar to the American Kestrel but a little larger, I think.
    Cheers

    Peter

    http://www.imageinuk.com
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