Adrian Dancy
D20A0337 Common Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus (Salford)
Kestrels mating in late November!!!
0855.07.12.2025
After having been confined to my home following an operation on my foot 2 months ago, I asked a friend to relieve me of my misery and let me have a day out photographing birds from the car. We decided to go where we had previously photographed kestrels mating in November several years before. A rare event for sure! After a few hours we saw nothing and then we both heard kestrels in a nearby tree and we both knew instantly they were mating. Our lenses pointed to the birds and I instinctively knew that despite the birds reasonably close proximity heat haze would be a problem. The ground had been covered with hoar frost and when the sun comes out to warm the ground wobbly air is inevitable. This is not my sharpest shot and would only make an acceptable A4 print. I was disappointed with all other images of these mating birds owing to the heat haze. My friend, Ivan Ellison was able to make about 3 accetable images. I managed a couple of sharp shots of the female on lighting apparatus...great portrait but crappy perch. I still enjoyed my day out which was far superior to being stuck at home alone in a flat with my foot pointing to the air!
D20A0337 Common Kestrel, Falco tinnunculus (Salford)
Kestrels mating in late November!!!
0855.07.12.2025
After having been confined to my home following an operation on my foot 2 months ago, I asked a friend to relieve me of my misery and let me have a day out photographing birds from the car. We decided to go where we had previously photographed kestrels mating in November several years before. A rare event for sure! After a few hours we saw nothing and then we both heard kestrels in a nearby tree and we both knew instantly they were mating. Our lenses pointed to the birds and I instinctively knew that despite the birds reasonably close proximity heat haze would be a problem. The ground had been covered with hoar frost and when the sun comes out to warm the ground wobbly air is inevitable. This is not my sharpest shot and would only make an acceptable A4 print. I was disappointed with all other images of these mating birds owing to the heat haze. My friend, Ivan Ellison was able to make about 3 accetable images. I managed a couple of sharp shots of the female on lighting apparatus...great portrait but crappy perch. I still enjoyed my day out which was far superior to being stuck at home alone in a flat with my foot pointing to the air!