A Flight of Kestrels
Falco sparvertius
Jan. 6, 2019
 



A kestrel (Falco sparvertius) is the smallest North American falcon, no larger than a mourning dove, but very colorful.
 
American Kestrel
 
  One day, during the previous October of fall migration, an unusually high number of kestrels flew through.  
 
American kestrel
 
  Over at Jo Hays Vista, we had over thirty in about two hours. Other hawk watch sites reported hundreds of kestrels.  
 
American kestrel
 
  Kestrels tend to whiz by at high speed and rapidly change direction, so it is always challenging to focus on one.  
 
American kestrel
 
  And so there was plenty of opportunity to have a few good photos. In brief, it was a lovely day on the ridge.

Photo note: On October 12, 2018, I used a Pentax K3-II, with the Pentax 150-450mm lens, for the photos.




My Pennsylvania bird list

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