A Kestrel, which is a type of falcon.
I didn’t think it was a friendly visit and the hummingbirds didn’t either!
Kestrels like to hover in the still air and dive bomb their prey at up to 65 miles per hour. The Hummingbirds seemed to know this and cleared out tout de suite !
All except for this juvenile who is not even fully fledged yet. He thought it was a great opportunity to dominate the feeder. Of course since I was out and about, the poor kestrel had to look somewhere else for his morning meal!
And the juvenile hummer lived to fledge another day.
When the kestrel left, the hummers returned.
They are currently consuming approximately 32 ounces of nectar daily!
The kestrel is divine isn’t he? He was quite unafraid. Life at The Holler is really ‘for the birds’ and that is fine by me!
Cheers to you from all your Holler feathered friends~
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Beautiful images 🙂
Thank you, but the beauty of the subjects do make it quite easy!
I’m glad you were around, for the juvenile hummer’s sake, Cindy! The kestel has wonderful colouring – breeding plumage I guess. RH
Stunning creature! This is the first time I was able to get one still. Usually they just bullet by. Falcons are the fastest moving creatures on earth, some varieties can reach up to 135 mph!
awesome pictures!!
Happy you enjoyed them! They were fun to take~
A beautiful predator! It is awesome you got a good shot of the bird. This reminds me of seeing hawk dive bombing live in front of my eyes recently (about a month back). That was such a show and you can’t easily forget. On one hand, I like them but on the other hand I do not since the small cuties are scared of them.
Oh YES!! Hawks in a dive are in incredible sight, the way they pause in mid-air, tuck their wings and let gravity take over! A big thrill to watch. I’m glad you got to see it and yes, woe to the prey of any flying raptor~
That is it! You described it so well. I recalled exactly what these 3 hawks were doing.
🙂
What a handsome looking bird! 😀
I think he knows it too!!! How could he not!
Truly amazing photographs. So beautiful.
I feel like I should be saying, “children mind your manners,” when out and about with The Holler critters. And of course the critters listen to me just about as much as my kids did!!
What kind of lens are you using to get those shots? And what’s your f/stop and time? There stunningly beautiful.
Awww, thank you! My camera is a Sony HX-300. It has a built in Zeiss Vario Sonnar lens. Don’t know the F-stop or time, but the magnification was approx. 1000 mm at 35 mm equivalents. In reality the image size is really 5.6 mm. The Sony technology is crazy good~
Wow amazing chest feathers and beautiful eyes! I’m glad you saved the baby humming bird from the hungry kestrel! I love your bird pics and Holler family! Hugz Lisa and Bear
I do think it suits me to be a family member of the birds!!! 😉
Reblogged this on blondiesBEARista and commented:
Meet Cindy’s bird friends! Exquisite photos!
Awww, you guys rock!
Beautiful photos as always. The little juvenile looks to be still getting his big bird feathers.
Yes!!! And even when he gets them, he will never be a Big Bird! Laughing…… The Hummers make up for their lack of physical size with their outsize personalities!
Oh my goodness yes. Our little guys have been back for about a month now. We have Rufus hummers and they are five grams of pure evil. I’ve never seen such fussing and fighting in my life. Luckily two females ganged up on one male, so they were able to feed in peace. Otherwise, the male stands guard of the feeder and bullies everyone.
Okay right after this reply, I am going to google image the rufus, can’t wait to see.
“5 grams of pure evil.”
Yes. Laughing.
Accurate observation.
I couldn’t love them if they were perfectly sweet…..
But I do notice how much they give up the conflict when they need to bulk up on nectar when the sun starts to set.
Then they cooperate, and share the feeders.
They are simply remarkable.
Breathtaking. To get one of those bird species in focus is amazing both of them wow. They are some fast moving critters. 😀
It is always a surprise to see what the camera captures, especially with small critters like the hummingbirds. Merci beau coup & cheers too!
What a beautiful bird the kestrel. Wow! as well as the hummingbirds of course 🙂
You had to compliment the hummingbirds or you know I would get miffed……..Laughing!! Thanks much~
lol! I wasn’t about to let the falcon take all of the spotlight 😉
Super bird photos!
As I am typing this I am watching the hummingbird feeder glug with air bubbles in response to their greedy gulping…..the true wonder is how on earth do they eat this much???? It would be pretty cool if I had their metabolism….imagine all the forbidden sweets I would eat!!! 😛
You took this picture? Nice feather pattern and beak:)
Well they are remarkable, and I am glad you see what I do…all the amazing details of these remarkable creatures. Thank you~
These photos are truly extraordinary. And I’m really glad you were nearby to save the juvenile hummingbird, at least for today. Many thanks Cindy.
Love your photos as well my friend and many thanks. It is ridiculous, I worry about the hummingbirds when I go on vacation……Who will chase away the hawks and pick off the praying mani……..I’m such a pathetic mom!!
That little Hummingbird owes you his life, good thing you were there! Love the rust color and spots on Mr. Falcon….as always, great pics!!
Observing and photographing these creatures, as you well know my friend, is an absorbing and fascinating pastime. Merci beau coup mon ami…… and you keep on clickin too!
Great pictures. I am waiting for the hummers to show up in my area.
Always a cause for celebration!!! We’re BAACK!! They are at The Holler year round, but they come in droves in early March, always has me hanging extra feeders!
I adore your life ‘for the birds’ Cindy and delight in all your posts. While all deserve dinner, I breathed a sigh of relief for that wee hummer. He’s lucky you were out there, deterring the handsome Kestrel. hugs, Gina
Laughing…..it’s kinda like…okay I know you’re a raptor, but not the hummingbirds already, so what if I am feeding a hundred of them and it looks like a buffet to you!!!
A buffet! That’s hilarious. 🙂 We have Merlins and when they get screeching (hunting) I pray for our neighborhood Robins! But they seem to prefer the English Sparrows which have dominated my feeders, so I guess I’ve created a buffet too.
Incredible!
Danke schoen!
Absolutely beautiful shots.
Awwww, grazi & hope your hubby is doing better!
The beauty of the subjects is definitely there, but it doesn’t make it easy! Skill makes it easy 🙂
^^’ So kind!
No, so true 🙂
stunning pics of the kestrel Cindy … just yesterday we noticed an unusual silence int he bush as we walked through to the beach … oh yes, there he was .. a Goshawk! All the birds were staying still and silent, hoping to be unnoticed 🙂
It is thrilling for me to even read what you wrote. The best thing I ever did for myself was move out of the suburbs and into the country. Life has immediate meaning here. So glad you have this too!
aren’t we the luckiest people Cindy? xx
How beautiful!
How kind of you!
These are beautiful hummingbirds,Cindy.
Thank you Ranu! Scraggly but neat to get the shots of the juvenile which is rare for me~
Yes, Cindy, divine is a good word for this fine fellow! Beautiful shots. I’ve never seen one of these–we get osprey and the occasional bald eagle, but I have only had the pleasure of seeing a falcon (peregrine, I think) one time. Lovely, lovely bird!
And I have only seen osprey once and didn’t get good shots! They are magnificent and an occasional bald eagle is a major thrill for me. We are heading to peregrine nesting territory and I am excited about seeing this. It is all just thrilling!
That is a very beautiful falcon. The city Hall roof in San Jose had falcons nesting on it. It was really interesting. I know cams are set up in other places like that.
Yes in NYC for example. A coyote once rode the NYC subway. Amazing that these creatures can adapt like this. Falcons are here but they are so fast, they are hard to photograph. I thought at first that this was a tame kestrel or sick or something because it just sort of sat there, but then I figured it was interested in the feeder and the humming birds. There were orioles here a few weeks ago. I got photos of the males, and then I found two dead females on the ground, obviously attacked by a raptor. When I went back out with my camera, one of them was gone so the predator picked it up. I assumed a Great Horned Owl, but now I wonder if it was the kestrel. Haven’t seen anymore orioles~
We have some kestrels in London. They tend to hide themselves by clinging on to the sides of tall buildings during the very early morning and then diiving on their prey. A spectacular sight. 🙂
You know my husband and I want to go back to the UK in 2015. Take a tansatlantic to Southhampton, go spend some time in the countryside, and move on to Eastern Europe. I would so love to see this in London……We’ll take you out for a pint if your available and you can show us where to look!
Thanks. Unfortunately it’s a matter of luck as they tend to change there hunting/nesting area. They get moved on by development. We used to have a nesting pair on the tower block opposite but refurbishment moved them on. I’ll keep my eye out though.
When I get the time, I’ll be doing some posts on places worth seeing, including some of the less well known that might take your interest. Wye Aye 😀
ooooh looking forward to the posts~
It’s wonderful set~love it.
joyful day ~ cindy^^
All is good! Cheers to you and domo arigato!
ありがとう＾＾ 今日に乾杯 ～
Thank you ＾＾ Cheers～
Anata wa totemo shinsetsudesu. (I hope I got this right!) You are very kind~
32 ounces of nectar daily, that is a lot for a little bird. Technology does help to take better photos, but yours are different because you love nature and you put your heart into it. We are so lucky to be your follower.
Visa versa 2 U X 2! The gratitude goes round and round. I am grateful for you Amy, for your talent and for your kindness. Hugz~
Thank you, Cindy! (Hugs)
I’ve seen Cara Caras (also a type of hawk) swoop through the air and pick up an unsuspecting Hummingbird that was leaving our garden all content. Poor thing…
I saw Caracara’s too in Patagonia and Argentina. Got tons of pics of them. Are they vultures or hawks? I saw them kill a bird too. I was amazed by these birds. They were all over the place and quite big and formidable. Can’t imagine them catching a hummingbird. WOW!
That last shot – looks like he posed just for the photo op. 🙂
I think he did. I bet he even has an agent…….
Oh, what beautiful captures! And what a great post! It’s so good you were there to save the little hummingbird.
Why thank you! Very kind of you to say. They are so easy to fall in love with~
I didn’t know kestrels preyed on hummingbirds; shouldn’t they find something like baby mice instead? What great shots – was the kestrel close by or do you have a super telephoto lens?
Yes, apparently they are opportunisitc and will go after songbirds and such. Reportedly this makes quite a show when they do it as they are very skillful flyers. But you are right, their ususal prey are mice, bugs and perish the thought, butterflies!!!
Good thing you were there to save the young ones.
I think he was very considerate to let me get his foto in exchange!
Just a tad “proud” Kesler.
Oh yes! I noticed this too~
As hawks go, I think the kestrel is the most beautiful…, the peregrine the fastest, and the red tail the most social. Beautiful pics, Cindy. …and contrary to the specious rumors floating about, I did not fall from the face of the earth……., I was pushed ! 🙂 Hope you had a wonderful Easter.
What happened to you? Are you okay?
I’m ok, for the most. More surgery needed for the skin cancer, trying to sell some property that no one wants to buy, work on the house/yard…, etc. Thanks for asking, Cuz. 🙂 Big hug !
So what kind of skin cancer??? I know the difference.
Work on the house, yard, means you are involved in your art, which is all good.
I am a Barton. You can’t fool me. We are all massive worry worts. How are you really cuz?
Great photos, Cindy! I love the detail on the kestrel’s feathers and it eyes seemingly on high alert. There’s a lot of nature out there in the holler :-).
Thanks! He is gorgeous isn’t he? And yep, The Holler is full of fab stuff to keep me clicking.
What brilliant captures… the kestrel and the humming bird all in such clarity and colour… beautiful…
But I just read this post on your hospitalization, but couldn’t see the date. Did this just happen? Are you okay?
I confess to having a very selfish reaction and I am sorry. I would miss you, your photos, and the beautiful Africa you present in your posts.
But that is kinda nice isn’t it?
I value what you do.
Somehow I am pretty sure you are okay.
Is this correct?
Yep I’m on the way to recovery … just the lungs that collapsed that are giving trouble, but they will repair with time…
How beautiful. Kestrels are amazing flying critters. There is a house down from us with two chimneys at each end of the house. Two peregrins have taken to resting on the chimneys before heading out to hunt. It is glorious to see them reeling about the the blue sky.
Yes I have seen this also but not enough of these incredible flyers. Heading off the see the peregrine’s nesting area soon and most excited. You are lucky to have them nesting nearby!
I know. Thanks to your blog, I’ve gained a new appreciation for raptors.
Cindy, had never seen a picture of a kestrel, very beautiful bird. So glad, all your hummers survived.
Awesome pictures! Thank you! Veraiconica
Thank you my friend for stopping by and so glad you enjoyed your birdie friends!
Beautiful bird shots Cindy
Ahhh, so happy you think so & cheers to you Al~
But what did the poor kestrel get for dinner? 🙁
I know!! Save one, starve another? Actually and I gues regretfully and thankfully, there is a polyglot of rodents at The Holler. The kestrel was probably just looking for some dietary variety. They also eat butterflies which would also be a no go for me, if the kestrel was interested in my opinion, which thankfully he is not. Laughing……
LOL! Well, we all like a change of diet sometimes.
Yes! Particularly if it involves chocolate……
Exquisite, Cindy! Perfect capture for Earth Day. We live in a beautiful world…
We do indeed! Thank you for your thoughtful comments Rebecca and the cheeriest cheers to you my friend~
🙂 🙂 🙂 Thank you for all of your wonderful posts!
Visa versa x 2 2 U!!! <3 <3
This was a wonderful post. I’m glad you were there for the little guy!
Me too!!! He was sooooo tiny!
They are tiny but ferocious! I think they emerge that way….. For good reason!
I think the ferociousness is 99% bluff! They calm down as nightfall approaches and share the feeders like nice little puppies!
You have such awesome neighbors. .. even if they are always coming over for a meal! I’m learning about what feeders to put out to attract different birds and I’m starting to get some interesting visitors myself. Great captures btw!!
It is so much fun to attract a variety of birds. We just got orieles, but a raptor killed two females, so now they have moved on. That is the first bird on bird fatality I have seen re: the feeders. Will be most interested to hear what you attract!
Absolutely beautiful shots Cindy.
Very glad you think so and cheers to you!
He’s so beautiful. I don’t want him to go hungry, but I don’t want him to eat the hummingbirds either!
The ultimate human dilemna when observing nature! It was like this in Africa, “Look at those gorgeous lionesses!” Oh nooooooo, “look at those Impalas run………”
At The Holler I can protect some creatures like the hummers, but of course the kestrel is a stunner too…….and hopefully found lots of rodents to eat…….of course rodents are people too!!!!! Laughing…..
That last photo – looks like he means business.
That is the impression I clearly got!!!
WOW! These are amazing captures!
As are all of yours Jackie! Thank you~
What beautiful photos! Such nice realistic photos as well.
Ahhhh, very thoughtful and much appreciated!
Thank you Cindy. They are always a delight!
As my far away friend, are you!
Merci beaucoup! Please give my regards to the hummingbirds. 🙂 x
Done!! 😉