The 'Courtship' Has Begun......

The definition for Courting is: To behave so as to attract (a mate)

or to gain the favor of by attention or flattery or even
to gain 'love or affection'... but seeing as we are talking
about Kestrels the first definition is probably right on
although I would love to Romanticize it!!

As I get to work everyday... I look at this tree through my lens.
Most days She is there... He only comes to bring a prize
which is usually a juicy mouse. She's the dot at the
tippy top in the middle.

I arrived early and she already had the mouse on the
side of the building... She's not liking me watching.

He's sitting a little further down at the entrance to
last year's nest sight.

He watches her as she decided where to eat out of my sight.

She flies a little further away and up towards the roof
landing on the decorative wood...her mouse in tow

That wasn't working so she flies to the 'Tree'..

It's time to go into work, so as soon as I can I set up
the look out at the window and snap some more pictures

This is the scene I get to witness on most days.
I'll try not to be repetitious ... and post the same old
same old each time...

I am still in awe that I can actually witness this unfolding
again this year. Twice blessed I would say!

Soon I will catch them copulating and that will be
a great post... I saw it yesterday for the first but
missed the photo. So soon...............

The Courtship will last only about 9 days before egg laying
according to a web site called PubMed..
Then 30 days later the first little kestrel head will pop
up at the nesting cavity.. but let's not get ahead of ourselves.

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

I'll Sing in the Sunshine....

I just posted on another blog last week how I covet

a certain bird and never see them....
Well!!!! I looked out my window over the week end
and about 300 yards away ... yes very far ... I saw
two shining dots in the sunlight in the top of a very
tall tree.

I took the shot and zoomed in and OH MY GOSH!! My
first thought was Eastern Meadowlark!! Could it be?
Sure looked like one 'singing' to me

If you click and look closely you can see the black V on
the chest.. a dead give away.

Yep, outer tail feathers are white and partly barred
with dark brown and black
The one on the bottom is fanning the tail... click to see.

Another interesting fact about the Meadowlark...A male can
have up to 3 mates at one time.

I was 'Singing in the Sunshine' for sure until Mr. Crow
came along and chased them off.

It might have been far far away but I was thankful
that I got to see them. I felt like I was given a little gift.

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