[Jacquot]

Can any raptor experts identify this bird? I know these shots are not clear and the crops are small - he was quite a distance away, and all I had was a 50mm prime. I saw him yesterday near Dallas, perched in the top of a small tree, then he would dive to the ground for a few seconds before going right back up the tree. It's a smallish hawk, probably smaller than a crow, but very quick & agile in its movements. Can anyone ID this bird from these poor shots? Thanks!

Looks like a Kestrel...

[photolady95]

Yep, Paul, it could be a Kestrel. See this site's description of one.

American Kestrel, Identification, All About Birds - Cornell Lab of Ornithology

[paulh]

Thanks everyone - I think that's it. From the mostly brown markings I'm guessing it's a female kestral.

[littledrawe]

Can any raptor experts identify this bird?

Looks like a Kestrel to me, some samples below for closer inspection.

Littledraw-You would do well here in South Africa-Serious is such a common word these days. And yes, these things happen-combination of stress, excitement and being in a hurry to get away for a few days. And it is kept seperate from my regular kit-as it is too heavy to lug around all the time. But it won't happen again when I go in March.

That would be a great place to visit, I am envious of some of the places I see photos from here on the forum. I look forward to your shot from the trip in may.

[wolfiegirl]

We've had a few storms this evening and when I took the pups out for dinner this evening guess what I see checking out the world sitting on the lawn chair under the verandah? A frog!! Quick as a flash I grabbed a fast fifty (Meyer Optik Gorlitz 50/1.8) and started shooting.

Here's the first few with just light from the balcony.



Elsie finished her dinner and came to see what I was doing and say hello to Mr Little Frog



As you can see, they're ok but not super sharp or anything. What to do, what to do... I remembered someone on here a few months back who spotted a frog (on their car?) and grabbed a torch for lighting before shooting. I remember the shots turned out pretty neat, so I went inside, grabbed my uber bright LED torch and went back out again.



whoops, lighting a bit too dramatic!



Ah there we go. Short of getting an assistant or mounting the light to my head that's about the best I can do. I'm quite pleased with the detail you can see in its eye though.

taken on my kx, Meyer Optik Gorlitz 50/1.8. click on images for exif data.

[hangman43]

[paulh]

Quite a variety of wildlife in your neighborhood, Hangman Nice shot of the robin.

[ivoire]

Early this a.m. i saw the deer in the back yard and decided to become a stalker.

[WWIFA]

Really nice kestrels, littledrawe. We used to have a lot of these around, but, I don't recall seeing any last year.

under the verandah? A frog!!

I like the progression of your technique. It sounds like what a lot of us must do! : }

Saw these moose at the library. Three of them came out of the woods, but, I only got pictures of these two. Wish I had been able to get an overview of everyone watching the moose. bruce

[baro-nite]

Young Bull by brucegcco

That is a very noble portrait of a moose!

[WWIFA]

Early this a.m. i saw the deer in the back yard and decided to become a stalker.

These are great! I like the first one, makes me laugh for some reason.

That is a very noble portrait of a moose!

Thanks, you don't hear noble and moose together very often : } I wasn't fast enough and missed the light in his eye as he turned his head, however.

[wolfiegirl]

I love that first one ivoire!

I love the moose kissing the car wwifa! So in Colorado moose (meese?) live in library carparks...

[borno]

No winter here in the mid-atlantic

[ivoire]

WWIFA...... love those moose portraits and thanks for the comments. i went out the front door to sneak around for a close-up but the young buck was doing the same. i got off 2 quick snaps (including the garage wall) just before he took off. then the stalking really began

borno..... great BIF pic. my friends in northern VA tell me its like spring and they actually get to open the windows.

wolfiegirl.... thanks for your comment. checked your wolfie site, cute 'wolfie' pics

[wolfiegirl]

wolfiegirl.... thanks for your comment. checked your wolfie site, cute 'wolfie' pics

Thanks ivoire

No winter here in the mid-atlantic

check out those huuuuge wings!