American Kestrel Raptor Birds, photo scoop 1

During the incubation phase in April, the kestrels carried on very low key. By early May
hatchlings were to be fed. Here the male approaches in typical flutter style. Frequently
observed along roadsides and above meadows, whenever one gets a lens ready and
aims at this particular target, the small raptor will perform a quick disappearing act. To get
a good shot of an American Kestrel in its quasi hover mode had eluded me for many years.
Have a close look at the shape of these wings, perfectly morphed for swift attacks
as well as stationary flight. I was less excited about what my fellow hunter carried to feed
his brood; a baby Robin, ending up as baby food... A cruel, bird eats bird world.
To see something truly gruesome from the world of Bird eats Bird, click on Nest robber.

American Kestrel Raptor Birds, page 2, a cruel Bird eats Bird world

During the incubation phase in April, the kestrels carried on very low key. By early May hatchlings were to be fed. Here the male approaches in typical flutter style. Frequently observed along roadsides and above meadows, whenever one gets a lens ready and aims at this particular target, the small raptor will perform a quick disappearing act. To get a good shot of an American Kestrel in its quasi hover mode had eluded me for many years. Have a close look at the shape of these wings, perfectly morphed for swift attacks as well as stationary flight. I was less excited about what my fellow hunter carried to feed his brood; a baby Robin, ending up as baby food... A cruel, bird eats bird world. To see something truly gruesome from the world of Bird eats Bird, click on Nest robber.

	During the few months I got to observe the goings-on around this nest off and on, I witnessed our cool Daddy of a growing kestrel family fly in frogs mainly, then the incredible load of a small Rabbit and, as here, the fruit of other birds' nests... One has to hand it to the busy provider; What a skilled flyer, the way he balances the catch towards the small entry of the nest... As a footnote I should add that the Robin parents appeared several times during the next day or 2, desperately looking for their missing hatchling(s). To no avail.