We’ve made 52 hikes this year, most of them in Florida!
And last weekend, we were on the very back of a trail that makes a loop at Halpata Tastanaki Preserve when we spotted this Kestrel.
We actually came around a bend and scared a huge hawk out of a tree and it scared a Kestrel into our area.
The Kestrel perched in top of a broken tree first.
Then it went over to a limb and started hunting.
A close up..
We saw it fly into a leafy tree and get something and fly back to the limb.
I’m sorry to say…
it looks like he is EATING Katy!
A Katydid like the one we saw in our shrubbery.
Oh well! Hopefully there’s more than one Katy!
What a thrill to be close enough to get good photos.
The American Kestrel is the smallest Falcon in North America.
I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE
and I’d Rather B Birdin’.
32 comments:
Fantastic captures Diane. I've spotted a kestrel a couple of times in our garden.
You got some great "shots." Happy new year.
Great photos!! I am so proud of you and your hikes! Wishing you a Happy New Year! HUGS!!!
Very cool bird. Happy New Year!
Good for you...a hike a week! And all the beauty you enjoyed as well. I hope you and your hubby have a blessed 2017.
Beautiful Kestrel and wonderful photography of it ~ Congrats to you for all your hiking ~
Wishing you a Happy and Healthy New Year ~ ^_^
Amazing shots!
Hello Diane, you got some awesome shots of the kestrel. It is a beautiful bird, I love it's colors. Hiking and walking is good, great post. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Have a happy weekend! I wish you and your family all the best in 2017, Happy New Year!
WOW--what a nice catch for photos--
and you did a great job with those photos--
yep--I hope there is more Katy--and that bug looks huge!!!
Great job on all the hikes--
Happy New Year--
love and laughter, di
Diane, That is amazing, 52 hikes...one for each week. I love that beautiful bird. I wish MY feet were as strong as yours. I would love to walk as much as you do. You and your husband can be very proud . Blessings and great wishes for the happiest new year. xoxo, Susie
I share your thrill of spotting interesting birds. This photo is amazing of the beautiful Kestrel--sorry about the katydid. Happy New Year! ♥
You see the most amazing birds! I've never seen a kestrel. Hope you have a great 2017 with lots more hikes in your future.
Great shots and good for you for your 52 hikes this year! Have a great 2017.
52 that's a good amount of hikes. Good for you.
Wonderful photos.
Happy New Year.
Awesome photos and a great sighting! Have a safe and happy holiday weekend and Happy New Year to you and yours!
Well he is a handsome fellow and he does have to eat. You sure captured some great shots.
These are interesting pictures. Have never heard of this bird before. That looks somewhat like a nest up high in the tree.
Happy New Year, Diane!
love, ~Sheri
Beautiful images, Diane!
Happy New Year to you and yours!
All the best in 2017!
Hugs,
Poppy
Happy New Year my friend!!
WOW ... amazing photos. My boys love birds of prey, I will be showing them your photos.
Diane,
Amazing close-up photos of the kestrel... One day this week I spotted a white-breasted owl or hawk while driving home. I couldn't focus on the bird while driving to get a good enough look to know exactly what it was, but regardless, I loved seeing it.
Happy new year,
Judith
Those are great pictures Diane. Everyone says how difficult it is to get close to American Kestrel, but you seem to have it sorted. Happy New Year.
Lovely pictures! 52 hikes must mean 1 a week, what a great goal. It is such a nice feeling to be out and about especially when you see things in your own area you didn't know were there. Happy New Year and warm regards for another 52 hikes!
You've got some terrific shots here!
Well done too on 52 hikes ... here's to more in 2017
Good wishes, and happy new year
All the best Jan
Great pictures..and 52 hikes!!! One for each week of the year. I hope you and your hubby have a wonderful year. xo Diana
What great captures of this lovely bird. Poor Katy, though :( Happy New Year! Hugs!
Hi Dianne,
Wonderful photos of the Kestrel and that you got up so close. Lovely that you could get out on so many hikes and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Happy New Year and best wishes for 2017
hugs
Carolyn
Stunning - and the colors are amazing. We saw a Kestrel only one time - they are not very common around here. Oh poor Katy - it is hard not to feel sorry for nature - even though we know it is the way of things and not our feelings that make things run smoothly.
Hope your new year is wonderful - and congratulations on making the 52 hikes - what an achievement. I'm proud of you. Hugs and happiness my dear.
At first I thought he had caught a green frog then you said "Katy." Well then I knew that it wasn't a frog because a frog's name would be Kermit, right? :) I love your photography!
Beautiful bird photos! We love feeding the birds in the winter here. Our favorites are the Cardinals.
What a great catch of the falcon eating the katy!!!
Wow, awesome shots of the kestrel. Happy New Year! Here's to more hikes and many more bird sightings!
Beautiful photos of a beautiful bird! Hey, we all have to eat to survive...just glad I'm not on the list of edibles!
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