Continuing Saga of Baby Kestrels.....

Much changes from one day to the next once the Kestrels
come out where you can see them.
When I arrived the next day the male had already
flown the nest and was sitting on the chimney next
door. He kept hopping around and
making me nervous.

This is the Male that had his mouth wide open in the last post.

He now is learning how difficult it may be to find food

While I'm sitting there watching he fell into the chimney
and I was so upset I left.

Mom and Dad were close by watching so I figured they
would take care of it...

When I returned two hours later the female was
perched alone at the edge of the hole.

She was starting to test out her wings too

Then I looked up to the roof and I saw the little Male
doing some calisthenics on one of the corbels

He thankfully had survived the chimney and was out and
happy and active as ever

Getting pictures of a bird that usually isn't even
visible is just so thrilling..

You want the moments to last forever...

What is this? A neckroll? How cute! click for a closer look

I am the boy... I have black dots

I am the girl... I have brown streaks

And, a cute little face and pin feathers... see them
on top of my head?

Dad is back and watching every move both from me
and his precious babies.

You are gonna get sick of Kestrels cause I already
have hundreds of pictures waiting to be edited and
posted!!

To God Be The Glory ~~ Great Things He Hath Done

Extra Extra Read All About It!!

I interrupt this regularly posted blog to bring you the
breaking news!!! A Kestrel UPDATE.... Today's
happening.

I had wanted to update the Kestrels but nothing
was really happening... She has been sitting by the
nest opening.... just sitting.

A pretty little portrait I took just 3 days ago of her in the tree

5 days ago in the tree eating some lunch.....

Here he is on top of the building after her lunch delivery

The favorite look out... on the pipes on top of the building

From here they watch over their beloved nest....

THEN.................Today after work I wasn't even going
to go look at the nest. I had seen her once and him
not at all.....but something made me go look....

I aimed the camera and zoomed in and there it was.... a baby
head popped up.

Funny how as soon as you see them, a personality seems
to erupt. Curious as ever he's looking up

And then turns to look out of the hole

Dad arrived and I didn't even know the baby was
there with mouth wide open... Can't see that when
you're taking the picture.

Oh! How cute is that...

As soon as dad left Baby #1 stumbles out of hole ....

I'm holding my breath as he puts foot over foot and almost
takes the plunge downward

As soon as he is stable he's looking up in the air
once again! Is he waiting for dad and more food?
who knows?

Watching them is so darn cute...

Oh My Gosh! Is he bored already? Or is he just sleepy?

Or.. is he actually calling dad for more food?

Now, he stretches his legs out long and stands taller...

Well... you know at this point I leave and start home. Tonight
is my youngest grandson's graduation and I have
got to get going... But.....on the way something tells
me to go back for one more last look.
AND AM I EVER GLAD I DID!!!!
Look at what I saw.............


As soon as I drive up I see TWO Kestrels. Now there
is a female on the right of the male.

He has the dots on his chest and she has the brown
streaking.

I can't wait for tomorrow... The fun is just beginning.

To God be The Glory ~~ Great Things He Hath Done

For those who may not have followed my blog last year...
this is the second time I am privileged to document a
Kestrel nest. More about it below.

Looking Up can be Rewarding....

Sometimes when we are searching for the unusual,
the rare, the migrant, the lifer bird we fail to just
look up at the birds that are visible everyday.
Beautiful birds like the RW Blackbird. In the right
light you can't get a prettier bird.

Glossy-black males have scarlet-and-yellow shoulder patches

they can puff up or hide depending on how confident they feel

Red-winged Blackbirds often show a hump-backed silhouette
while perched

Male Red-winged Blackbirds do everything they can to get noticed,
sitting on high perches and belting out their conk-la-ree!
song all day long.

Louder and louder and over and over... looking for the female
to notice

On a sunny day he shines

Another bird I especially like is the Grey Catbird. They were
numerous at Wildwood Lake.

I was trying to capture him eating mulberries in the
top of the tree

Finally got a shot of him actually plucking one from the tree....

When, nearby I see a Cedar Waxwing in the very top of
another tree. That certainly got my attention and I shot off
a burst of photos.

I actually thought there just one bird in the tree...

But later found out there were many up there among the leaves.

I wish I would have known that at the time..

And then, in another tree nearby I see orange and black
movement..

An Oriole had landed and was looking among the leaves for
a tasty morsel for lunch.

Wildwood is never a boring place to visit... I can't
help but wish it was nearer my house.

My daughter and I did a 3+ mile walk and there was
lots more to see and photograph.

To God Be The Glory ~~ Great Things He Hath Done