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Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus (Male)
The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In Britain, where no other kestrel species occurs, it is generally just called "the kestrel".
This species occurs over a large range. It is widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as occasionally reaching the east coast of North America.
Kestrels can hover in still air, even indoors in barns. Because they face towards any slight wind when hovering, the common kestrel is called a "windhover" in some areas.
Unusual for falcons, plumage often differs between male and female, although as is usual with monogamous raptors the female is slightly larger than the male. This allows a pair to fill different feeding niches over their home range. Kestrels are bold and have adapted well to human encroachment, nesting in buildings and hunting by major roads. Kestrels do not build their own nests, but use nests built by other species.
Their plumage is mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upperside and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside; the remiges are also blackish. Unlike most raptors, they display sexual colour dimorphism with the male having fewer black spots and streaks, as well as a blue-grey cap and tail. The tail is brown with black bars in females, and has a black tip with a narrow white rim in both sexes. All common kestrels have a prominent black malar stripe like their closest relatives.
The cere, feet, and a narrow ring around the eye are bright yellow; the toenails, bill and iris are dark. Juveniles look like adult females, but the underside streaks are wider; the yellow of their bare parts is paler. Hatchlings are covered in white down feathers, changing to a buff-grey second down coat before they grow their first true plumage.
Data from Britain shows nesting pairs bringing up about 2–3 chicks on average, though this includes a considerable rate of total brood failures; actually, few pairs that do manage to fledge offspring raise less than 3 or 4. Compared to their siblings, first-hatched chicks have greater survival and recruitment probability, thought to be due to the first-hatched chicks obtaining a higher body condition when in the nest. Population cycles of prey, particularly voles, have a considerable influence on breeding success. Most common kestrels die before they reach 2 years of age; mortality up until the first birthday may be as high as 70%. At least females generally breed at one year of age; possibly, some males take a year longer to maturity as they do in related species. The biological lifespan to death from senescence can be 16 years or more, however; one was recorded to have lived almost 24 years.
Population:
UK breeding:
46,000 pairs
Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus (m)
The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In Britain, where no other kestrel species occurs, it is generally just called "the kestrel".
This species occurs over a large range. It is widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as occasionally reaching the east coast of North America.
Kestrels can hover in still air, even indoors in barns. Because they face towards any slight wind when hovering, the common kestrel is called a "windhover" in some areas.
Unusual for falcons, plumage often differs between male and female, although as is usual with monogamous raptors the female is slightly larger than the male. This allows a pair to fill different feeding niches over their home range. Kestrels are bold and have adapted well to human encroachment, nesting in buildings and hunting by major roads. Kestrels do not build their own nests, but use nests built by other species.
Their plumage is mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upperside and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside; the remiges are also blackish. Unlike most raptors, they display sexual colour dimorphism with the male having fewer black spots and streaks, as well as a blue-grey cap and tail. The tail is brown with black bars in females, and has a black tip with a narrow white rim in both sexes. All common kestrels have a prominent black malar stripe like their closest relatives.
The cere, feet, and a narrow ring around the eye are bright yellow; the toenails, bill and iris are dark. Juveniles look like adult females, but the underside streaks are wider; the yellow of their bare parts is paler. Hatchlings are covered in white down feathers, changing to a buff-grey second down coat before they grow their first true plumage.
Data from Britain shows nesting pairs bringing up about 2–3 chicks on average, though this includes a considerable rate of total brood failures; actually, few pairs that do manage to fledge offspring raise less than 3 or 4. Compared to their siblings, first-hatched chicks have greater survival and recruitment probability, thought to be due to the first-hatched chicks obtaining a higher body condition when in the nest. Population cycles of prey, particularly voles, have a considerable influence on breeding success. Most common kestrels die before they reach 2 years of age; mortality up until the first birthday may be as high as 70%. At least females generally breed at one year of age; possibly, some males take a year longer to maturity as they do in related species. The biological lifespan to death from senescence can be 16 years or more, however; one was recorded to have lived almost 24 years.
Population:
UK breeding:
46,000 pairs
Freight from Fraserburgh in the form of fish carried on for sometime after the station closed to passengers in 1965 before the line closed in 1979.
I don't have an exact date for this photo, but 25019 moved to Scotland (Eastfield initially) in February 1976 so in all probability the photo post dates that.
The loco was new as D5169 to Thornaby in December 1961 and withdrawn from Haymarket in September 1980.
Image from a negative in my collection by an unknown photographer.
Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus (Juvenile)
The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In Britain, where no other kestrel species occurs, it is generally just called "the kestrel".
This species occurs over a large range. It is widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as occasionally reaching the east coast of North America.
Kestrels can hover in still air, even indoors in barns. Because they face towards any slight wind when hovering, the common kestrel is called a "windhover" in some areas.
Unusual for falcons, plumage often differs between male and female, although as is usual with monogamous raptors the female is slightly larger than the male. This allows a pair to fill different feeding niches over their home range. Kestrels are bold and have adapted well to human encroachment, nesting in buildings and hunting by major roads. Kestrels do not build their own nests, but use nests built by other species.
Their plumage is mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upperside and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside; the remiges are also blackish. Unlike most raptors, they display sexual colour dimorphism with the male having fewer black spots and streaks, as well as a blue-grey cap and tail. The tail is brown with black bars in females, and has a black tip with a narrow white rim in both sexes. All common kestrels have a prominent black malar stripe like their closest relatives.
The cere, feet, and a narrow ring around the eye are bright yellow; the toenails, bill and iris are dark. Juveniles look like adult females, but the underside streaks are wider; the yellow of their bare parts is paler. Hatchlings are covered in white down feathers, changing to a buff-grey second down coat before they grow their first true plumage.
Data from Britain shows nesting pairs bringing up about 2–3 chicks on average, though this includes a considerable rate of total brood failures; actually, few pairs that do manage to fledge offspring raise less than 3 or 4. Compared to their siblings, first-hatched chicks have greater survival and recruitment probability, thought to be due to the first-hatched chicks obtaining a higher body condition when in the nest. Population cycles of prey, particularly voles, have a considerable influence on breeding success. Most common kestrels die before they reach 2 years of age; mortality up until the first birthday may be as high as 70%. At least females generally breed at one year of age; possibly, some males take a year longer to maturity as they do in related species. The biological lifespan to death from senescence can be 16 years or more, however; one was recorded to have lived almost 24 years.
Population:
UK breeding:
46,000 pairs
Cattails sway about madly as extreme winds blow in behind a late autumn cold front. I love experiencing rapid weather changes brought on by storms. There's a feeling of disarray, both in the landscape and sky, as air masses collide. Vast amounts of energy are released in the process, an abundant source of creative motivation just waiting to be tapped.
Out in this open meadow, the gusty wind was whipping everything around me into a continuous blur. Very difficult to focus the eye on any one thing when everything is in motion. Photography truly becomes more of a shoot by feel process rather than one of looking through viewfinder. As is often the case, I'm responding more to how the scene makes me feel rather than how it actually looks.
The cattails delineate an impassable boundary for me. Stems from an irrational fear of snakes. Even as a child, I equated cattails with marshes and wetlands and a high probability of harboring snakes. Even with snakes in hibernation in this freezing cold air, the tangle of overgrowth and the certainty of sinking into mud in the still soft earth was more than enough to deter me. Still I lingered on the verge; the scene almost comically bleak, the sky a dark shade or murder gray.
There is no doubt the Aurora Borealis deserves its place amongst the 7 natural wonders of the world.
Having never lived in northern latitudes seeing and photographing the aurora has been on my bucket list for some time. With the sun cycle at solar max Aaron, Alan, Rebecca, and I decided on a venture out to Iceland in hopes of witnessing the northern phenomenon. I figured a full 10 days in Iceland would give us a solid time window and opportunity to capture it. On our third day the sun delivered. A strong solar wind was predicted to buffet earth with a high probability of auroras.
As we waited out the daylight the anticipation began growing. While waiting for dinner people began running outside as the aurora commenced. I too joined the crowds outside and initially only saw a few whitish cloud-like strands. Just as I headed back in a sudden aurora streak ignited overhead. This time it was so bright I could easily see the green color. Excited and impatient, we all finished our dinner quickly and bolted out to our scouted shooting spots. After spending several hours going back and forth between the Jökulsárlón Iceberg lagoons and road turnouts, we decided to head back to our original spot along a stream as the final stop for the night. As we arrived and exited our cars the aurora suddenly exploded all over the sky. It was to the east, to the west, overhead, and simply dazzling all around. The aurora became so bright it was dancing and whipping around changing shapes. According to NOAA the aurora became a Kp5 sparking a G1 geomagnetic storm.
I made sure to focus on the task at hand and setup for this composition along the stream. I opted getting low to maximize the while still capturing foreground ice patterns along with a subtle reflection in the water. While shooting a bolt of aurora streaked through my frame creating a lightning bolt-like pattern. In the end the aurora streaked across the frame almost mirroring the shape of the mountain range. The experience was totally mesmerizing and it was an experience I shall always remember. This shot was focus stacked with 4 frames at 14mm for optimal sharpness from foreground to background.
Sony A7r
Rokinon 14mm f/2.8
Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus (M)
(Double click)
The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In Britain, where no other kestrel species occurs, it is generally just called "the kestrel".
This species occurs over a large range. It is widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as occasionally reaching the east coast of North America.
Kestrels can hover in still air, even indoors in barns. Because they face towards any slight wind when hovering, the common kestrel is called a "windhover" in some areas.
Unusual for falcons, plumage often differs between male and female, although as is usual with monogamous raptors the female is slightly larger than the male. This allows a pair to fill different feeding niches over their home range. Kestrels are bold and have adapted well to human encroachment, nesting in buildings and hunting by major roads. Kestrels do not build their own nests, but use nests built by other species.
Their plumage is mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upperside and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside; the remiges are also blackish. Unlike most raptors, they display sexual colour dimorphism with the male having fewer black spots and streaks, as well as a blue-grey cap and tail. The tail is brown with black bars in females, and has a black tip with a narrow white rim in both sexes. All common kestrels have a prominent black malar stripe like their closest relatives.
The cere, feet, and a narrow ring around the eye are bright yellow; the toenails, bill and iris are dark. Juveniles look like adult females, but the underside streaks are wider; the yellow of their bare parts is paler. Hatchlings are covered in white down feathers, changing to a buff-grey second down coat before they grow their first true plumage.
Data from Britain shows nesting pairs bringing up about 2–3 chicks on average, though this includes a considerable rate of total brood failures; actually, few pairs that do manage to fledge offspring raise less than 3 or 4. Compared to their siblings, first-hatched chicks have greater survival and recruitment probability, thought to be due to the first-hatched chicks obtaining a higher body condition when in the nest. Population cycles of prey, particularly voles, have a considerable influence on breeding success. Most common kestrels die before they reach 2 years of age; mortality up until the first birthday may be as high as 70%. At least females generally breed at one year of age; possibly, some males take a year longer to maturity as they do in related species. The biological lifespan to death from senescence can be 16 years or more, however; one was recorded to have lived almost 24 years.
Population:
UK breeding:
46,000 pairs
Since the temperatures here have risen noticeably in the last few days, the probability of a white Christmas is now close to zero.
So at least start the day here today with some winter forest romance.
This picture was also taken on my trip to Cinovec in the Bohemian Ore Mountains.
But unlike the first motif, there is no single tree here that draws all the attention to itself, but rather a small group, because we are not in a clearing here but in the middle of the "wilderness" (which, by the way, made moving through the deep snow quite a good fitness exercise.
Additionally, I always had to be careful not to accidentally ruin a composition with footprints by walking around somewhere where I might be able to photograph later.
Da die Temperaturen hier in den letzten Tagen spürbar angestiegen sind, ist die Wahrscheinlichkeit für weisse Weihnachten inzwischen eher nahe Null.
Also starten den Tag heute wenigstens hier mit etwas Winterwaldromantik.
Dieses Bild entstand ebenfalls bei meinem Ausflug nach Cinovec im Böhmischen Erzgebirge.
Doch im Gegensatz zum ersten Motiv gibt es hier keinen einzelnen Baum, der alle Aufmerksamkeit auf sich lenkt, sondern eine kleine Gruppe, denn wir befinden uns hier nicht auf einer Lichtung sondern mitten in der „Wildnis“ (was die Fortbewegung in dem tiefen Schnee übrigens zu einer recht ordentlichen Fitnessübung gemacht hat.
Darüber hinaus musste ich immer aufpassen, dass ich nicht versehentlich eine Komposition mit Fußspuren ruiniere, indem ich irgendwo herum laufe, wo ich später vielleicht noch fotografieren könnte.
more of this on my website at: www.shoot-to-catch.de
A picture from my archives. Taken with my canon870 in all probability but the EXIF data is not here. 10/21/12
Mount Rainier is a large active stratovolcano in the Cascade Range of the Pacific Northwest, located in Mount Rainier National Park about 59 miles (95 km) south-southeast of Seattle. With a summit elevation of 14,411 ft (4,392 m), it is the highest mountain in the U.S. state of Washington and the Cascade Range, the most topographically prominent mountain in the contiguous United States, and the tallest in the Cascade Volcanic Arc.
Due to its high probability of eruption in the near future, Mount Rainier is considered one of the most dangerous volcanoes in the world, and it is on the Decade Volcano list. The large amount of glacial ice means that Mount Rainier could produce massive lahars that could threaten the entire Puyallup River valley. According to the United States Geological Survey, "about 80,000 people and their homes are at risk in Mount Rainier's lahar-hazard zones."
Between 1950 and 2018, 439,460 people climbed Mount Rainier.
Approximately 84 people died in mountaineering accidents on Mount Rainier from 1947 to 2018
Nisqually Vista, Washington, United States
The phrase "Scotch Mist" is sometimes used to refer to a figment of the imagination - something that in all probability doesn't really exist. However, in this series of photos from Oban, Scottish Mist is all too real.
This example of Scottish Hills and Scottish Mist was taken on the ferry to Mull.
A cat's hearing apparatus is built to allow the human voice to easily go in one ear and out the other.
-- Stephen Baker
The mathematical probability of a common cat doing exactly as it pleases is the one scientific absolute in the world.
-- Lynn M. Osband
fortune favours the prepared mind, and fortune favours those who work the hardest.
Michael Kenna
HFF! Science Matters!
water lily, sarah p duke gardens, duke university, durham, north carolina
Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus (M)
The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In Britain, where no other kestrel species occurs, it is generally just called "the kestrel".
This species occurs over a large range. It is widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as occasionally reaching the east coast of North America.
Kestrels can hover in still air, even indoors in barns. Because they face towards any slight wind when hovering, the common kestrel is called a "windhover" in some areas.
Unusual for falcons, plumage often differs between male and female, although as is usual with monogamous raptors the female is slightly larger than the male. This allows a pair to fill different feeding niches over their home range. Kestrels are bold and have adapted well to human encroachment, nesting in buildings and hunting by major roads. Kestrels do not build their own nests, but use nests built by other species.
Their plumage is mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upperside and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside; the remiges are also blackish. Unlike most raptors, they display sexual colour dimorphism with the male having fewer black spots and streaks, as well as a blue-grey cap and tail. The tail is brown with black bars in females, and has a black tip with a narrow white rim in both sexes. All common kestrels have a prominent black malar stripe like their closest relatives.
The cere, feet, and a narrow ring around the eye are bright yellow; the toenails, bill and iris are dark. Juveniles look like adult females, but the underside streaks are wider; the yellow of their bare parts is paler. Hatchlings are covered in white down feathers, changing to a buff-grey second down coat before they grow their first true plumage.
Data from Britain shows nesting pairs bringing up about 2–3 chicks on average, though this includes a considerable rate of total brood failures; actually, few pairs that do manage to fledge offspring raise less than 3 or 4. Compared to their siblings, first-hatched chicks have greater survival and recruitment probability, thought to be due to the first-hatched chicks obtaining a higher body condition when in the nest. Population cycles of prey, particularly voles, have a considerable influence on breeding success. Most common kestrels die before they reach 2 years of age; mortality up until the first birthday may be as high as 70%. At least females generally breed at one year of age; possibly, some males take a year longer to maturity as they do in related species. The biological lifespan to death from senescence can be 16 years or more, however; one was recorded to have lived almost 24 years.
Population:
UK breeding:
46,000 pairs
Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus (m)
The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In Britain, where no other kestrel species occurs, it is generally just called "the kestrel".
This species occurs over a large range. It is widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as occasionally reaching the east coast of North America.
Kestrels can hover in still air, even indoors in barns. Because they face towards any slight wind when hovering, the common kestrel is called a "windhover" in some areas.
Unusual for falcons, plumage often differs between male and female, although as is usual with monogamous raptors the female is slightly larger than the male. This allows a pair to fill different feeding niches over their home range. Kestrels are bold and have adapted well to human encroachment, nesting in buildings and hunting by major roads. Kestrels do not build their own nests, but use nests built by other species.
Their plumage is mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upperside and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside; the remiges are also blackish. Unlike most raptors, they display sexual colour dimorphism with the male having fewer black spots and streaks, as well as a blue-grey cap and tail. The tail is brown with black bars in females, and has a black tip with a narrow white rim in both sexes. All common kestrels have a prominent black malar stripe like their closest relatives.
The cere, feet, and a narrow ring around the eye are bright yellow; the toenails, bill and iris are dark. Juveniles look like adult females, but the underside streaks are wider; the yellow of their bare parts is paler. Hatchlings are covered in white down feathers, changing to a buff-grey second down coat before they grow their first true plumage.
Data from Britain shows nesting pairs bringing up about 2–3 chicks on average, though this includes a considerable rate of total brood failures; actually, few pairs that do manage to fledge offspring raise less than 3 or 4. Compared to their siblings, first-hatched chicks have greater survival and recruitment probability, thought to be due to the first-hatched chicks obtaining a higher body condition when in the nest. Population cycles of prey, particularly voles, have a considerable influence on breeding success. Most common kestrels die before they reach 2 years of age; mortality up until the first birthday may be as high as 70%. At least females generally breed at one year of age; possibly, some males take a year longer to maturity as they do in related species. The biological lifespan to death from senescence can be 16 years or more, however; one was recorded to have lived almost 24 years.
Population:
UK breeding:
46,000 pairs
“King Genius meanwhile offered Trurl a cup of ion mead, wondrously carved with curves of probability and the subtle play of quantum waves. Trurl quaffed it down, then snapped his fingers, whereupon the third machine stepped out into the center of the cave, bowed low and said, in a voice that was tonic, euphonic, and most electronic:
This is the story of how the Great Constructor Trurl, with the aid of an ordinary jug, created a local fluctuation, and what came of it”...
Stanislaw Lem THE CYBERIAD
Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus (Male)
The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In Britain, where no other kestrel species occurs, it is generally just called "the kestrel".
This species occurs over a large range. It is widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as occasionally reaching the east coast of North America.
Kestrels can hover in still air, even indoors in barns. Because they face towards any slight wind when hovering, the common kestrel is called a "windhover" in some areas.
Unusual for falcons, plumage often differs between male and female, although as is usual with monogamous raptors the female is slightly larger than the male. This allows a pair to fill different feeding niches over their home range. Kestrels are bold and have adapted well to human encroachment, nesting in buildings and hunting by major roads. Kestrels do not build their own nests, but use nests built by other species.
Their plumage is mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upperside and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside; the remiges are also blackish. Unlike most raptors, they display sexual colour dimorphism with the male having fewer black spots and streaks, as well as a blue-grey cap and tail. The tail is brown with black bars in females, and has a black tip with a narrow white rim in both sexes. All common kestrels have a prominent black malar stripe like their closest relatives.
The cere, feet, and a narrow ring around the eye are bright yellow; the toenails, bill and iris are dark. Juveniles look like adult females, but the underside streaks are wider; the yellow of their bare parts is paler. Hatchlings are covered in white down feathers, changing to a buff-grey second down coat before they grow their first true plumage.
Data from Britain shows nesting pairs bringing up about 2–3 chicks on average, though this includes a considerable rate of total brood failures; actually, few pairs that do manage to fledge offspring raise less than 3 or 4. Compared to their siblings, first-hatched chicks have greater survival and recruitment probability, thought to be due to the first-hatched chicks obtaining a higher body condition when in the nest. Population cycles of prey, particularly voles, have a considerable influence on breeding success. Most common kestrels die before they reach 2 years of age; mortality up until the first birthday may be as high as 70%. At least females generally breed at one year of age; possibly, some males take a year longer to maturity as they do in related species. The biological lifespan to death from senescence can be 16 years or more, however; one was recorded to have lived almost 24 years.
Population:
UK breeding:
46,000 pairs
Bright yellow clusters of Old Man of the Mountain (Hymenoxys grandiflora) bathe in morning light on the slope of Meadow Mountain, Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado.
The morning began at 5:00 and we reached the trailhead at 8,800 feet elevation just past 7:00. The early rise was to beat the heat so the steep, cross-country route through the forest would not be too insufferably hot for the lower elevation portion. The mountains also demand an early start to avoid being exposed when the probability of afternoon electrical storms begins to rise. Right from the trailhead, the route rises 2,400 feet in 2.2 miles and breaks out above the krummholz on the north slope of Meadow Mountain after 2 miles. At this point, I was delighted to find thick daubs of yellow dotting the alpine tundra, with Longs Peak towering to the north across the great expanse of Wild Basin.
After soaking in this view for a spell, the hour of the day called for sandwiches, a cup of tea, biscuits, and dried fruit before continuing onward and upward to the summit of Mount Saint Vrain (12,150 ft). The trail-less route then proceeds westward along what must be one of the most scenic ridge-walks in the Front Range before descending to meet Cony Creek and the trail back through the forested valley of Wild Basin. All told, the circuit is 13 extraordinary miles and 4,100 feet of climbing, about 7 miles route-finding off trail. Sometimes I do go to church on Sunday.
[A thousand points of yellow stamens. View large.] Starting with minimalist Monday, this will be a series of the tiny flowers that I've found in the last year (or 23 as the case may be). The tiny flowers are the most difficult to photography: when they're waxy and ill defined, almost impossible. Most, but not all, are in clusters like today's selection, Ceanothus.
Ceanothus is a genus of about 50–60 species of nitrogen-fixing shrubs and small trees in the buckthorn family (Rhamnaceae). Common names for members of this genus are buckbrush, California lilac, soap bush. What I'm posting is, in all probability, the California lilac.
The genus is native to North America with the highest diversity on the western coast.
I have found these in the wild, and the most surprising thing is that, unlike the lilac of my youth, there is no smell to this one. Each flower is about an eighth of an inch, and there are at least 800 in these three clusters.
Mittags werden in Barmstedt Temperaturen von 17° (gefühlt: 20°) erwartet. Es werden Brisen (28km/h) aus Westen mit Böen (43km/h) erwartet. Es kommt zu Niederschlagsmengen von 0,1l/m², die Niederschlagswahrscheinlichkeit beträgt 4% und die Luftfeuchtigkeit 63%.
(mehr dazu bei www.wetter.de)
At noon temperatures of 17 ° (felt: 20 °) are expected in Barmstedt. Breezes (28km / h) from the west with gusts (43km / h) are expected. There is precipitation of 0.1l / m², the probability of precipitation is 4% and the humidity is 63%.
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Dieser Brillenpelikan macht es richtig :-)
This Australian pelican is doing it right :-)
The Hellnar church was built in 1945 on a picturesque site where a church was first raised in 1833.
Hellnar is an ancient fishing village, a cluster of old houses and buildings situated close to Arnarstapi on the westernmost part of the Snæfellsnes peninsula, Iceland.
Although Hellnar village used to be a major port of call for fishing vessels and the largest and busiest centre of fishing and fishing vessels in Snæfellsnes, there were also a few farms in and around Hellnar village along with quite a few semi-permanent and short-stay living quarters for seamen and the migrating workforce. Hellnar village can in all probability trace its function as a major port of call back to the Middle Ages, and the oldest written source of it being describes as a fishing port dates back to 1560.
MacPro was dead. The repair fee was said to be 150,000 yen by Apple japan. Nah I repair at 150,000 JPY, I’ll select iMac 5K. Because I don’t like black trash can. And I chose Skylake i7 6700K and 500 GB of SSD replace it. I don’t place data on the boot drive. Put it on an external HDD. And make a clone with C.C.C. on an external HDD not usually connected. The probability that a drive not connected to a machine, break risk is very low. I also have NAS. However, the data transfer rate is a donkey. Mac / PCs It is not important. It sells without limit in such a thing everywhere sides. The DATA. This is not sold anywhere. Lost, if it crashed, it is game over. You’ll hear 10 counts.
My One drive of Microsoft has 1 TB. My iCloud Is 50 GB, iCloud is too much Violently expensive.
Boot drive is enough 256GB something.
IFIXIT shipped double sided tape and several tools. I’m an old member here.
The old soldier has gone. R.I.P. MacPro…
Nene
Under the ceasefire agreement, Israel would allow 600 aid trucks into Gaza per day, but Israel has now reduced it to 300 trucks per day, citing delays in retrieving bodies of Israeli captives buried under the rubble by Israeli attacks.
--- www.aljazeera.com/amp/news/2025/10/16/on-world-food-day-i...
16/10/2025
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Eglwys Fair, Dinbych-y-pysgod - gwaith Karl Parson,/ St Mary's, Tenby - the work of Karl Parson
"This window fulfils the dual functionality of a tender memorial to Lieut-Col H.M. Henderson yet one that ‘lives’ thus imbuing the church with light and hope.[1] Redeeming the unknown, and in all probability, unpleasant nature of the soldier’s premature death, Parsons creates a window riffing on the themes of promise, resurrection and paradise." www.visitstainedglass.uk/location/church-of-st-mary-tenby...
Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus (Juv)
Double click
The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In Britain, where no other kestrel species occurs, it is generally just called "the kestrel".
This species occurs over a large range. It is widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as occasionally reaching the east coast of North America.
Kestrels can hover in still air, even indoors in barns. Because they face towards any slight wind when hovering, the common kestrel is called a "windhover" in some areas.
Unusual for falcons, plumage often differs between male and female, although as is usual with monogamous raptors the female is slightly larger than the male. This allows a pair to fill different feeding niches over their home range. Kestrels are bold and have adapted well to human encroachment, nesting in buildings and hunting by major roads. Kestrels do not build their own nests, but use nests built by other species.
Their plumage is mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upperside and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside; the remiges are also blackish. Unlike most raptors, they display sexual colour dimorphism with the male having fewer black spots and streaks, as well as a blue-grey cap and tail. The tail is brown with black bars in females, and has a black tip with a narrow white rim in both sexes. All common kestrels have a prominent black malar stripe like their closest relatives.
The cere, feet, and a narrow ring around the eye are bright yellow; the toenails, bill and iris are dark. Juveniles look like adult females, but the underside streaks are wider; the yellow of their bare parts is paler. Hatchlings are covered in white down feathers, changing to a buff-grey second down coat before they grow their first true plumage.
Data from Britain shows nesting pairs bringing up about 2–3 chicks on average, though this includes a considerable rate of total brood failures; actually, few pairs that do manage to fledge offspring raise less than 3 or 4. Compared to their siblings, first-hatched chicks have greater survival and recruitment probability, thought to be due to the first-hatched chicks obtaining a higher body condition when in the nest. Population cycles of prey, particularly voles, have a considerable influence on breeding success. Most common kestrels die before they reach 2 years of age; mortality up until the first birthday may be as high as 70%. At least females generally breed at one year of age; possibly, some males take a year longer to maturity as they do in related species. The biological lifespan to death from senescence can be 16 years or more, however; one was recorded to have lived almost 24 years.
Population:
UK breeding:
46,000 pairs
I tried to explain to this friendly relative of Bunny Bun Bun that it was quite dangerous to graze on the clover in the yard due to it being out in the open and the high probability of Hawk visitation so eventually it sped off for cover. :)
Forcast: 60% probability of Snow Geese with heavy accumulations, at times. Local squalls of geese will create poor visibility. Urge caution when flying.
Get your week off to a running start and have a great one.
Immutable law
"Law of Probability
The probability of being watched is directly proportional to the stupidity of your act."
Sunshine and shade
More snowdrops. (And in all probability there will be even more.)
I wanted to capture the light playing on this clump of snowdrops. But I also wanted a soft effect for this shot.
So I used a wide aperture (f3.2). This means that a few are in sharp focus, the rest are blurry and dreamy; some are in sunlight, some in dappled shade. Executed as planned.
P103-5090 Taken at: Scouring Burn, Perth, Scotland
With the signalman poking his head out of the window to get a better look, class 76 no. 76046 eases its train of coal-laden mineral wagons down the grade and into Hadfield station.
The train, for my tastes, was the best of all options - a front-end uncluttered with the connector cables used by those units modified for multiple working, and a rake of the 'old style' 16t mineral wagons with a guard's van - for sure a visual step up from the more economical (from BR's perspective) but more sterile Merry-Go-Round trains.
The third neg from the recently scanned strip of six, I was intrigued as to why I'd only captured the edge of the signal box and can only put it down to either sloppy composition or, in an unusually enlightened moment, deciding I wanted to incorporate more of the village in the frame. A greater probability it was the former but, while it's not the best frame I've ever taken, at least it gives a flavour of the Woodhead in the 70s at this particular spot.
Ilford FP4 rated at 160asa, developed in Acutol.
17th November 1977
Norfolk in the far east of England is renowned for its large skies. When we stayed in Norfolk for a week in April 2022 the skies were full of the sound of jet aircraft, which in all probability were F35s from nearby RAF Marham where there is a pilot training facility.
Norfolk is the fifth largest county in England at over 2,000 square miles, and is primarily rural with only five major towns of which the largest is the city of Norwich. In the centuries before the Norman Conquest the wetlands of the east of the county began to be converted to farmland, and settlements grew in these areas. By the time of the Domesday Book it was one of the most densely populated parts of the British Isles.
During the Middle Ages the county developed arable agriculture and woollen industries. Norfolk's prosperity at that time is evident from the county's large number of medieval churches. Out of an original total of over one thousand some 659 have survived, more than in any other county in Britain and the greatest concentration in the world.
During the Second World War agriculture rapidly intensified, and it has remained very intensive since, with the establishment of large fields for growing cereals and oilseed rape (pictured).
Le probabili impossibilità sono da preferire alle improbabili possibilità.
Aristotele, IV sec. a.e.c
Non c'è nessuna elaborazione o manipolazione in questa foto: un alberello è riuscito a nascere perpendicolarmente ad un muro di mattoni... e a dimostrare come la tenacia possa superare le probabilità avverse.
Buona serata :)
#ramo #albero #bramch #odds #cielo #sky #muri #case #probability #chaos #caso #probabilità #leaves #foglie #italia
Sparrowhawk - Accipiter Nisus
Though it is a predator which specialises in catching woodland birds, the Eurasian sparrowhawk can be found in any habitat and often hunts garden birds in towns and cities. Males tend to take smaller birds, including tits, finches, and sparrows; females catch primarily thrushes and starlings, but are capable of killing birds weighing 500 g (18 oz) or more.
The Eurasian sparrowhawk is found throughout the temperate and subtropical parts of the Old World; while birds from the northern parts of the range migrate south for winter, their southern counterparts remain resident or make dispersive movements. Eurasian sparrowhawks breed in suitable woodland of any type, with the nest, measuring up to 60 cm (2.0 ft) across, built using twigs in a tree. Four or five pale blue, brown-spotted eggs are laid; the success of the breeding attempt is dependent on the female maintaining a high weight while the male brings her food. The chicks hatch after 33 days and fledge after 24 to 28 days.
The probability of a juvenile surviving its first year is 34%, with 69% of adults surviving from one year to the next. Mortality in young males is greater than that of young females and the typical lifespan is four years. This species is now one of the most common birds of prey in Europe, although the population crashed after the Second World War. Organochlorine insecticides used to treat seeds before sowing built up in the bird population, and the concentrations in Eurasian sparrowhawks were enough to kill some outright and incapacitate others; affected birds laid eggs with fragile shells which broke during incubation. However, its population recovered after the chemicals were banned, and it is now relatively common, classified as being of Least Concern by BirdLife International.
The Eurasian sparrowhawk's hunting behaviour has brought it into conflict with humans for hundreds of years, particularly racing pigeon owners and people rearing poultry and gamebirds. It has also been blamed for decreases in passerine populations. The increase in population of the Eurasian Sparrowhawk coincides with the decline in House Sparrows in Britain. Studies of racing pigeon deaths found that Eurasian sparrowhawks were responsible for less than 1%. Falconers have utilised the Eurasian sparrowhawk since at least the 16th century; although the species has a reputation for being difficult to train, it is also praised for its courage. The species features in Teutonic mythology and is mentioned in works by writers including William Shakespeare, Alfred, Lord Tennyson and Ted Hughes.
Male Eurasian sparrowhawks regularly kill birds weighing up to 40 g (1.4 oz) and sometimes up to 120 g (4.2 oz); females can tackle prey up to 500 g (18 oz) or more. The weight of food consumed by adult birds daily is estimated to be 40–50 g (1.4–1.8 oz) for males and 50–70 g (1.8–2.5 oz) for females. During one year, a pair of Eurasian sparrowhawks could take 2,200 house sparrows, 600 common blackbirds or 110 wood pigeons. Species that feed in the open, far from cover, or are conspicuous by their behaviour or coloration, are taken more often by Eurasian sparrowhawks. For example, great tits and house sparrows are vulnerable to attack. Eurasian sparrowhawks may account for more than 50% of deaths in certain species, but the extent varies from area to area.
Males tend to take tits, finches, sparrows and buntings; females often take thrushes and starlings. Larger quarry (such as doves and magpies) may not die immediately but succumb during feather plucking and eating. More than 120 bird species have been recorded as prey and individual Eurasian sparrowhawks may specialise in certain prey. The birds taken are usually adults or fledglings, though chicks in the nest and carrion are sometimes eaten. Small mammals, including bats, are sometimes caught but insects are eaten only very rarely.
From a trip to Italy, long time before the pandemic.
Leica M6, probability Summicron 35 mm.
FP4 in Rodinal.
Bromoil 24 x 30, on Rollei Retro, matt. (Looks and feels like Foma)
Digital borders.
Den Titel der meist von mir fotografierten Werbelok hält die 193 555 von Alpha Trains inne. Der für TXLogistik fahrende Vectron in seinem roten Camouflage-Design gefällt mir außerordentlich gut und fährt mir - nach anfänglichen Anlaufschwierigkeiten - auch außerordentlich oft vor die Linse. Hier gibt es noch weitere Kandidaten, wie die "Oma Liesel" und neuerdings der "Wald", die mir gefühlt bei jeder Tour begegnen, während andere Werbeloks anscheinend einen großen Bogen um mich machen. Statistiker und Berechner von Wahrscheinlichkeiten hätten bei Betrachtung der Thematik vermutlich große Freude. Gefreut habe ich mich jedenfalls auch am 01. März 2022, als die 193 555 mit dem komplett beladenen DGS 43155 nach Verona Q.E. aus dem Waldstück zwischen Reischenhardt und Brannenburg gefahren kam und von mir fotografisch umgesetzt werden konnte.
The 193 555 from Alpha Trains holds the title of the most photographed advertising locomotive. The Vectron in its red camouflage design, which runs for TXLogistik, appeals to me extraordinarily well and - after initial difficulties - is also in front of my lens extraordinarily often. There are other candidates here, such as "Oma Liesel" and, more recently, the "Wald", which I seem to encounter on every tour, while other advertising locomotives seem to give me a wide berth. Statisticians and calculators of probabilities would probably have a lot of fun looking at this topic. In any case, I was also pleased on 01 March 2022, when the 193 555 came out of the woods between Reischenhardt and Brannenburg with the fully loaded DGS 43155 to Verona Q.E. and could be photographed by me.
Social distancing is a new action in our everyday life just now and is intended to stop or slow down the spread of a contagious disease. As each day goes by and we all adhere to the message, then we will reduce the probability of contact between persons carrying an infection, and others who are not infected, so as to minimize transmission. Stay safe my flickr friends. This is a archive photo taken in Largs on the west coast of Scotland in 2011 as I'm self isolating at the moment.
Eva: Julia, what are you doing in this chair?
Julia: My homework. I though it was obvious.
Eva: The homework is obvious. But, my question is why in this chair?
Julia: It's comfy. Plus there's a power outlet beside it in case I need it.
Eva: But I was in the chair first.
Julia: I noticed that. I also thought we could hang out while I worked on this math assignment.
Eva: I am flattered. But, I was more comfy before you arrived.
Julia: I'm not going to apologize. There's room for both of us here.
Eva: By the way, your assignment sucks. No mention of Brittanies, birds or cookies.
Julia: That's because it's math. All about conditional probabilities.
Eva: So, given that they have selected neither Brittanies nor cookies nor birds means that it is probably boring. I agree.
Julia: That's not how conditional probably works.
Eva: I'm trying to care. But there's a low probability of me succeeding in the so let's do some YouTube instead. Squirrel obstacle course or baking montages please.
--------
Eva has claimed this arm chair as her 'daytime chair' at the cabin. Julia also likes it for doing homework. Good thing they are able to compromise.
Last, and by no means least, the Puffin wreck.
SS Kaffir Ayr’s Clyde puffer wreck.
There is plenty of farce, mystery and dubious elements to the tale behind the Clyde puffer which went aground in September 1974.
It was on 22 September that her engineer illegally took her, complete with load of coal, out of Ayr harbour, after dark.
A story in Keith McGinn’s fabulous book Last Of The Puffermen has it that, on that night, the boat’s skipper and deckhand were sitting in the pub waiting on said engineer’s arrival, when the pilot, having finished his duty, came in and was surprised to find them there.
He observed that the Kaffir – whose name, it should be noted, is a racial slur – had been seen with her navigation lights on, maneuvering about the docks.
All three ran down to the on-duty pilot and watched as the puffer zig-zagged around the docks.
READ MORE: Whisky Galore. The true story of the SS Politician
McGinn writes, “The police and coastguard were telephoned. The pilot boat was launched. The pilot, police and skipper went out to try and intercept the puffer. Unfortunately they were too late. The Puffer had run aground.
“The police arrested the only man on board… the engineer. The skipper wanted to try and save the boat but it was a falling tide and a slight swell was running, the probability was that she was holed.”
And what was the engineer’s explanation, when he was questioned? That he had arrived on board early, made a cup of tea and fallen asleep, woken two hours later and assumed the skipper and deckhand must be on board and turned in, and set off. Once he did so, though, he didn’t have a clue, on leaving the harbour, what direction to go in, and when he found the skipper was absent, panicked.
Clearly he was not believed – for he was charged with piracy, found guilty and given a jail sentence.
Nevertheless he always maintained his innocence, saying, it was not his “job to go round the pubs looking for the skipper”.
Despite efforts to refloat her the following day, her stern gear had been damaged and she was eventually written off as a total loss, though 118 tons of coal was salvaged. Pounded by the sea for nearly four decades, she is now split in two. The puffer’s plating has deteriorated and the wheelhouse no longer survives, but she remains now as a much-photographed landmark in the sea.
Taken from The Herald, By Vicky Allan
SN/NC: Youngia Japonica, Syn. Lapsana Communis, Hieracium Murorum, Asteraceae Family
Youngia Japonica is a common wildflower and it is beautiful attracting bees. The yellow flower has a diameter of less than 1 cm. This non-native herb is common in disturbed sites nearly throughout Florida (Wunderlin, 2003). It is native to Asia and blooms all year. It is edible and can be used in salads. It is also known and crepe-of-japan.
Asiatic false hawksbeard is found from Pennsylvania to Texas and all states southeast, as well as Hawaii (Kartesz, 1999). It usually occurs in non-wetlands (estimated probability 67%-99%), but is occasionally found in wetlands (estimated probability 1%-33%). Very present in Central America, too.
Youngia Japonica é uma flor silvestre comum e bela, que atrai abelhas. Sua flor amarela tem menos de 1 cm de diâmetro. Esta erva não nativa é comum em locais perturbados em quase toda a Flórida. É originária da Ásia e floresce o ano todo. É comestível e pode ser usada em saladas. Também é conhecida como crepe-of-japan. É considerada uma PANC (Planta Alimentícia Não-Convencional). A falsa-serralha-asiática é encontrada da Pensilvânia ao Texas, em todos os estados a sudeste, bem como no Havaí. Ocorre geralmente em áreas não alagadas, mas ocasionalmente é encontrada em zonas úmidas. É muito presente na América Central também.
Youngia Japonica es una flor silvestre comum y bella que atrae abejas. Su flor amarilla tiene un diámetro de menos de 1 cm. Esta hierba no nativa es común en sitios perturbados en casi toda Florida. Es nativa de Asia y florece todo el año. Es comestible y puede usarse en ensaladas. También se la conoce como crepe-of-japan. La falsa-crepís asiática se encuentra desde Pensilvania hasta Texas, en todos los estados del sureste, así como en Hawái. Generalmente ocurre en tierras no húmedas, pero ocasionalmente se la encuentra en humedales. También está muy presente en América Central.
Youngia Japonica è un fiore selvatico comune e bello che attira le api. Il suo fiore giallo ha un diametro inferiore a 1 cm. Questa erba non nativa è comune nelle aree disturbate in quasi tutta la Florida. È originaria dell'Asia e fiorisce tutto l'anno. È commestibile e può essere usata nelle insalate. È anche conosciuta come crepe-of-japan. Il falso sparviere asiatico si trova dalla Pennsylvania al Texas, in tutti gli stati del sud-est, così come alle Hawaii. Di solito si trova in terreni non umidi, ma occasionalmente è presente in zone umide. È molto presente anche in
Youngia Japonica est une fleur sauvage commune et belle qui attire les abeilles. Sa fleur jaune a un diamètre de moins de 1 cm. Cette herbe non indigène est commune dans les sites perturbés presque partout en Floride. Elle est originaire d'Asie et fleurit toute l'année. Elle est comestible et peut être utilisée dans les salades. Elle est aussi connue sous le nom de crepe-of-japan. La fausse crépis asiatique se trouve de la Pennsylvanie au Texas, dans tous les États du sud-est, ainsi qu'à Hawaï. Elle se rencontre généralement dans les milieux non humides, mais occasionnellement dans les zones humides. Elle est aussi très présente en Amérique centrale.
Youngia Japonica is een veel voorkomende en mooie wilde bloem die bijen aantrekt. De gele bloem heeft een diameter van minder dan 1 cm. Dit niet-inheemse kruid komt veel voor op verstoorde locaties in bijna heel Florida. Het is inheems in Azië en bloeit het hele jaar door. Het is eetbaar en kan in salades worden gebruikt. Het staat ook bekend als crepe-of-japan. De Aziatische valse haviksbaard wordt aangetroffen van Pennsylvania tot Texas, in alle zuidoostelijke staten, evenals in Hawaï. Het komt meestal voor in niet-natte gebieden, maar af en toe ook in wetlands. Het is ook zeer aanwezig in Midden-Amerika.
Youngia Japonica ist eine häufige und schöne Wildblume, die Bienen anzieht. Die gelbe Blüte hat einen Durchmesser von weniger als 1 cm. Dieses nicht heimische Kraut ist an gestörten Standorten in fast ganz Florida verbreitet. Es ist in Asien beheimatet und blüht das ganze Jahr über. Es ist essbar und kann in Salaten verwendet werden. Es ist auch bekannt als crepe-of-japan. Der Asiatische Falsche Habichtsbart ist von Pennsylvania bis Texas, in allen südöstlichen Staaten sowie auf Hawaii zu finden. Es kommt normalerweise in Nicht-Feuchtgebieten vor, wird aber gelegentlich in Feuchtgebieten gefunden. Es ist auch in Zentralamerika sehr präsent.
ヤングia・ジャポニカ（Youngia Japonica）は一般的な野草で、美しくミツバチを引き寄せます。黄色い花の直径は1cm未満です。この非自生のハーブはフロリダほぼ全域の撹乱された場所でよく見られます。アジア原産で一年中開花します。食用可能でサラダに利用できます。別名「クレープ・オブ・ジャパン」とも知られています。アジアタンポポモドキは、ペンシルベニアからテキサス、そして南東部の全ての州、さらにハワイでも見られます。通常は非湿地（67％～99％の確率）に発生しますが、時に湿地（1％～33％の確率）でも見られることがあります。中央アメリカにも非常に多く存在します。
Youngia japonica 是一种常见的野花，很美丽，能吸引蜜蜂。其黄色花朵的直径小于1厘米。这种非本地草本植物在佛罗里达州几乎全境的受干扰地点都很常见。它原产于亚洲，全年开花。可食用，可用于沙拉。它也被称为 crepe-of-japan。亚洲假黄鹌菜分布于从宾夕法尼亚州到德克萨斯州的所有东南部各州以及夏威夷。通常生长在非湿地（估计概率67%-99%），但偶尔也在湿地（估计概率1%-33%）中发现。在中美洲也非常常见。
نبات Youngia Japonica هو زهرة برية شائعة وجميلة تجذب النحل. قطر الزهرة الصفراء أقل من 1 سم. هذا العشب غير الأصلي شائع في المواقع المضطربة في جميع أنحاء فلوريدا تقريبًا. وهو موطنه الأصلي آسيا ويزهر طوال العام. وهو صالح للأكل ويمكن استخدامه في السلطات. يُعرف أيضًا باسم كريب-أوف-جابان. يوجد "صقرية آسيا الكاذبة" من بنسلفانيا إلى تكساس، وفي جميع الولايات الجنوبية الشرقية، وكذلك في هاواي. يوجد عادة في الأراضي غير الرطبة (باحتمال مُقدَّر 67%-99%)، ولكن يوجد أحيانًا في الأراضي الرطبة (باحتمال مُقدَّر 1%-33%). وهو موجود جدًا في أمريكا الوسطى أيضًا.
Off on another adventure... sometimes we catch light, sometimes we don't. My general rule is explore when the probability is high, and relax when it's low.
If you search "Valencia Cathedral" on Google, the first suggestion of a query will be "Is the Holy Grail in Valencia?". Well, apparently, yes. The Vatican even confirmed that with a high probability the cup stored in the Cathedral served Jesus.
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More about this image sumfinity.com/hdr-photos/spain/valencia/cathedral-spain/
Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus (m)
The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In Britain, where no other kestrel species occurs, it is generally just called "the kestrel".
This species occurs over a large range. It is widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as occasionally reaching the east coast of North America.
Kestrels can hover in still air, even indoors in barns. Because they face towards any slight wind when hovering, the common kestrel is called a "windhover" in some areas.
Unusual for falcons, plumage often differs between male and female, although as is usual with monogamous raptors the female is slightly larger than the male. This allows a pair to fill different feeding niches over their home range. Kestrels are bold and have adapted well to human encroachment, nesting in buildings and hunting by major roads. Kestrels do not build their own nests, but use nests built by other species.
Their plumage is mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upperside and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside; the remiges are also blackish. Unlike most raptors, they display sexual colour dimorphism with the male having fewer black spots and streaks, as well as a blue-grey cap and tail. The tail is brown with black bars in females, and has a black tip with a narrow white rim in both sexes. All common kestrels have a prominent black malar stripe like their closest relatives.
The cere, feet, and a narrow ring around the eye are bright yellow; the toenails, bill and iris are dark. Juveniles look like adult females, but the underside streaks are wider; the yellow of their bare parts is paler. Hatchlings are covered in white down feathers, changing to a buff-grey second down coat before they grow their first true plumage.
Data from Britain shows nesting pairs bringing up about 2–3 chicks on average, though this includes a considerable rate of total brood failures; actually, few pairs that do manage to fledge offspring raise less than 3 or 4. Compared to their siblings, first-hatched chicks have greater survival and recruitment probability, thought to be due to the first-hatched chicks obtaining a higher body condition when in the nest. Population cycles of prey, particularly voles, have a considerable influence on breeding success. Most common kestrels die before they reach 2 years of age; mortality up until the first birthday may be as high as 70%. At least females generally breed at one year of age; possibly, some males take a year longer to maturity as they do in related species. The biological lifespan to death from senescence can be 16 years or more, however; one was recorded to have lived almost 24 years.
Population:
UK breeding:
46,000 pairs
In the Kenroku-en Garden Kanazawa, 'one of the most beautiful landscaped gardens in Japan'. The garden was teeming with visitors at this time the probability of capturing a moment like this was minuscule. But there we are. The image shows Kenroku-en Garden itself was scintillating.
Kestrel - Falco tinnunculus (m)
The common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a bird of prey species belonging to the kestrel group of the falcon family Falconidae. It is also known as the European kestrel, Eurasian kestrel, or Old World kestrel. In Britain, where no other kestrel species occurs, it is generally just called "the kestrel".
This species occurs over a large range. It is widespread in Europe, Asia, and Africa, as well as occasionally reaching the east coast of North America.
Kestrels can hover in still air, even indoors in barns. Because they face towards any slight wind when hovering, the common kestrel is called a "windhover" in some areas.
Unusual for falcons, plumage often differs between male and female, although as is usual with monogamous raptors the female is slightly larger than the male. This allows a pair to fill different feeding niches over their home range. Kestrels are bold and have adapted well to human encroachment, nesting in buildings and hunting by major roads. Kestrels do not build their own nests, but use nests built by other species.
Their plumage is mainly light chestnut brown with blackish spots on the upperside and buff with narrow blackish streaks on the underside; the remiges are also blackish. Unlike most raptors, they display sexual colour dimorphism with the male having fewer black spots and streaks, as well as a blue-grey cap and tail. The tail is brown with black bars in females, and has a black tip with a narrow white rim in both sexes. All common kestrels have a prominent black malar stripe like their closest relatives.
The cere, feet, and a narrow ring around the eye are bright yellow; the toenails, bill and iris are dark. Juveniles look like adult females, but the underside streaks are wider; the yellow of their bare parts is paler. Hatchlings are covered in white down feathers, changing to a buff-grey second down coat before they grow their first true plumage.
Data from Britain shows nesting pairs bringing up about 2–3 chicks on average, though this includes a considerable rate of total brood failures; actually, few pairs that do manage to fledge offspring raise less than 3 or 4. Compared to their siblings, first-hatched chicks have greater survival and recruitment probability, thought to be due to the first-hatched chicks obtaining a higher body condition when in the nest. Population cycles of prey, particularly voles, have a considerable influence on breeding success. Most common kestrels die before they reach 2 years of age; mortality up until the first birthday may be as high as 70%. At least females generally breed at one year of age; possibly, some males take a year longer to maturity as they do in related species. The biological lifespan to death from senescence can be 16 years or more, however; one was recorded to have lived almost 24 years.
Population:
UK breeding:
46,000 pairs