Friday, March 3, 2023

'Bluebird of Happiness Hill' hosts the American Kestrels!

 
Did you notice that I said Kestrels...plural?


I hike this section of Marjorie Harris Carr Cross Florida Greenway....often! 

I park on hwy 484 and walk West (there's a good turn around at SR 200).

We see Kestrels pretty often in the winter months but I don't remember seeing 2 of them perching together.


Male American Kestrel

After awhile the female flew to another branch.


Female American Kestrel

This bug or dragonfly 'photobombed' me but it does look like she is wondering if it will fly close enough for her to snag it.


I saw a beautiful Mourning Dove on an old snag closer to the trail.


Mourning Dove

And when I looked at my photos, I could see that the Kestrel was in the distance.


I'll include this photo of one that has been preening.


And one more of the pair! It may be a long time before I see 2 Kestrels together on a branch!


Well, you expect to see Eastern Bluebirds on the hill so I'll end this post with these remarkable beauties!


Eastern Bluebird

They are such a bright blue at this time of year.


He's looking for YOU! lol

Have you seen some pretty color this week? Birds or flowers?

Enjoy your weekend and if the weather's nice, get outside to enjoy nature! 

I’m joining Saturday’s critters HERE

and I’d Rather B Birdin’.  

54 comments:

Cathy said...

They are all so beautiful. But I especially love the bluebirds.

Tom said...

...bluebirds are favorites that I rare see. Thanks for sharing.

Vee said...

Nothing that lovely or interesting here, unless one enjoys white and plenty of it. ❄️

Sandy said...

Great catch of the two together.

BeachGypsy said...

Wow!!-- that first picture of them together is so awesome!! I've never seen those birds here-- dont think we have them? Your pictures are getting better and better!! Hope this weekend you can get out making more

Wally Jones said...

Terrific post! What a wonderful collection of birds.

It's very encouraging to see the Kestrel pair. Many of the American Kestrels we see during winter are migrants. Breeding Kestrels in Florida are actually a subspecies known as the Southeastern American Kestrel.

Bluebirds definitely brighten up any day!

Enjoy your weekend!

Karen thisoldhouse2.com said...

I love our bluebirds here - they love the fields so we have many. The kestrels are beautiful! wow.

roentare said...

American Krestel looks so pristique

MadSnapper said...

they are a beautiful couple, elegant and so pretty. I am wondering if they eat bluebirds??

Cloudia said...

I've never seen a kestrel before. Let alone too! The birds definitely like you honey.

Marcia said...

All those birds are lovely. We see bluebirds here when the weather warms.

A Bit of the Blarney said...

Oh, how I love the photos of the lovebirds! The bluebird is so beautiful! Thank you! Have a grand weekend! Cathy

annie said...

One day I might see a bluebird but so far.. never. I really enjoy your photos quite a lot.

Connie said...

Beautiful photos, thanks for sharing.

Ann said...

What a pretty pair those two are. And that bluebird is just gorgeous.

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Oh, those Kestrels are amazing. We don't see them very often anymore, so thank you for sharing these wonderful pictures. And yes, the Bluebirds are gorgeous! I am watching ours feeding their babies already. I do hope we will get to see the birdies fledge this time. It will still be a while, but I am keeping a close watch! Thank you for sharing the beauties of your "neck of the woods". Loved it.

Irma said...

Beautiful pictures of the kestrels, indeed you hardly ever see them together, not even here in the Netherlands.
I think the Eastern Bluebirds are a beautiful species that does not occur here.
Greetings Irma

Happy@Home said...

How fun to see the pair of kestrels and your photos are excellent. I am always excited to see the bluebirds. I've seen a few of them around here along with many cardinals, house finch, wrens and woodpeckers.
Have a wonderful weekend, Diane.

Jeanie said...

Those kestrels are lovely. And I really like the title of this post!

Phil Slade said...

Great pics today Diane, Bluebirds and Kestrels. Do you think the Kestrels have spring on their mind? After all, there has to be some baby Kestrels at some time. I'm not sure of your seasons across there the other side of the world. For us it's March to August when the birds take to nesting. I waited all day watching for the jeep coming along the road but you never showed up!

Inger said...

such beautiful birds you captured with your camera. I'm very fond of kestrels and you found two of them. Thanks for sharing.

carol l mckenna said...

Oh the Kestrels are lovely, the mourning dove divine and the blue bird is beautiful ~ great photos of our feathere friends ~

Wishing you good health. laughter and love in your days,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)

Bill said...

Beautiful photos! Love your new banner, excellent composition.

Debbie said...

what an amazing outing, ALL of your images are lovely!! spotting those kestrels, wow, how lucky are you?! the bluebirds are still my favorites and those images are gorgeous. "the bluebird of happiness" is the name of my bike!! have a great weekend!!

RedPat said...

a pair of Kestrels had a nest right beside where I used to live and so we watched them and their babies all the time. They had nested in an enclosure around a power plant so were safe from cats etc.
Love seeing your Bluebirds.

Lowcarb team member said...

Lovely photographs of the Kestrels, especially the two together.
The Eastern Bluebirds colour is beautiful.

Enjoy your weekend.

All the best Jan

John's Island said...

Hi Diane, Congratulations on the new header … very nice. Image #8 … the pic of the 2 Kestrels on a branch … gets the award for SWEET PICTURE. 😊 The Eastern Bluebird looks really bright blue and very serious too. 😊 Enjoy your weekend and thanks for sharing another fine post. John

Amila said...

All these photos are beautiful. I enjoyed the beauty of nature through your photos. Thanks for the share. Have a great weekend!

GreenComotion said...

Great selection of birds and photographs!
The Eastern Bluebird is a looker :)

magiceye said...

Delightful captures all!

Shiju Sugunan said...

The couple’s photo looks awesome!

Teresa said...

Preciosos avistamientos, me encantó verlos son unos pájaros preciosos. Abrazos y feliz día.

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Your kestrals are beautiful as are your eastern bluebirds, and the doves!!

Michelle said...

Oh wow! The kestrels are so pretty! I don’t know much about them, but that is interesting that you’ve never seen two together before. I have glimpsed blue birds here in western North Carolina, but never well enough to get a photo. Beautiful!

Michelle said...

Oh wow! The kestrels are so pretty! I don’t know much about them, but that is interesting that you’ve never seen two together before. I have glimpsed blue birds here in western North Carolina, but never well enough to get a photo. Beautiful!

HappyK said...

Love the bluebirds.
Have always liked mourning doves. They seem so gentle and peaceful. Haven't seen any around here for a while!

Lorrie said...

How lovely are those kestrels! Great shots of the two together. Bluebirds are so pretty - we don't have any of those here. The red-winged blackbirds are singing in the bog these days, and lots of bright red-headed House Finches come to the feeders here. Birds are such interesting creatures.

Anni said...

Absolutely GORGEOUS colors captured of the bluebird! I've only ever seen one kestrel at a time. Wonderful opportunity for you to catch these two.

Have a super week ahead and your linking in is always appreciated!

Breathtaking said...

Hello Diane :=)
What a great find to see two Kestrel perched together and beautifully captured too. The Mourning dove and the Bluebird are also lovely birds and super images.
All the best.

Creations By Cindy said...

Oh that Eastern Bluebird is just simply beautiful! Love the pictures. Hugs and blessings, Cindy

Natasha said...

I love every single of the avian wonders. Such charmers- each one of them!

You have a lovely blog here.

Cheerio!

Natasha

https://natashamusing.com

Tanza Erlambang said...

I never seen Kestrel in nature... beautiful

EricaSta said...

Lovely birds, very interesting to read... wonderful captures. Thank you for sharing, Diane.

Hugs,by Heidrun

Rostrose said...

Oooh dear Diane,
that's a really great sighting, two kestrels in one - I think there will be kestrels babies soon! What a joy! The photo with the mourning dove and the Kestrel in the background is special and beautiful. I'm also very fond of the Eastern Bluebird - I assume it's a male trying to seduce a female with the pretty blue at this time of year? An impressive sight!
Hugs and all the best - Traude ❤️
https://rostrose.blogspot.com/2023/03/streifzug-durch-die-letzten-wochen.html

Linda said...

Beautiful birds! My only kestrel shots are at a distance. Love these!

Little Wandering Wren said...

I'd say that bug is flying dangerously close what lovely photos and very special to spot two kestrels! Have a lovely week.
Wren x

Veronica Lee said...

Delightful series of photos, Diane.

Those kestrels are beautiful.

Hugs and blessings.

Red Rose Alley said...

That's a lovely mourning dove. And she's pretty big! When I went to the store this morning, I was driving back in the neighborhood, and a mourning dove was in the middle of the road just sitting there. She saw my car, but didn't fly away. I stopped in the middle of the road just gazing at her until she flew away. They are precious birds for sure. And you got some wonderful photos of the bluebird. That's a sweet bird too. I love his blue head.

Have a good rest of the week.

~Sheri

Latane Barton said...

Maybe it's mating time... a little together time for those kestrels.

Rainbow Evening said...

lovely birds....
have a great day

Yvonne said...

It's always a treat to see what you have photographed. Your photos of the birds are beautiful.

Yvonne said...

It's always a treat to see what you have photographed, and photographed so well.

eileeninmd said...

Wow, it is great you captured two Kestrels together. That is awesome.
Beautiful birds and photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend. PS, I am sorry I am late commenting, thank you for leaving me a comment.

DeniseinVA said...

I would be very excited to see those two Kestrels, and the ones of the Eastern Bluebird are a treat also. Wonderful photos! Thanks Diane!