Spent a week-end in the Lake District, mostly in and around Kendal. We didn't really do a lot, just relaxed in the hotel and only ventured out into the cloud and the rain to visit the ruin of Kendal Castle which could be seen from our hotel. The ruin is on top of a pretty steep hill and is very 'ruinous', there not being a lot left of this 14th and 15th century building, home of the Parr family whose most famous member was Katherine Parr, the wife who outlived Henry the Eighth. I took my new camera along, just for the views really, but after climbing the only remaining tower Lisa noticed a male Kestrel hovering below us. I didn't manage to get any sort of shot off at this point, but the bird decided to perch on the ruin and pose beautifully for us. He then hovered a bit more where I managed to get the shots below, not great as he was facing the wrong way and the light was bloomin' awful, but it gave me a chance to see what this hand-held camera could do.
They look so menacing in the sky but they are really beautiful to see.
ReplyDeleteClick here for Bazza’s Blog ‘To Discover Ice’
Hi Bazza,
DeleteThey look pretty menacing if you are a vole! I wouldn't want to be on the receiving end of those talons!
J
Well you did get some pretty good shots (the light considering John).
ReplyDeleteVery good clarity on the back feathers with that new camera.
Hi Roy,
DeleteThank you. I suppose the only answer is to carry on practising! ;)
J
looks identical to the Kestral that lived in Luxor Egypt.
ReplyDeletehttp://birdinginegypt.blogspot.co.uk/2010/02/lanner-falcon.html
Pretty similar, but yours is a Lesser Kestrel, extremely rare here, but from the same family.
DeleteJ
Hi John. Sounds like a pleasant way to spend a weekend despite the weather. Lovely captures of the Kestrel...quite a poser! :-)
ReplyDeleteHi Jan,
DeleteThank you and yes, it was nice and relaxing, just what the doctor ordered!
I have never managed to get any sort of photo of a Kestrel before, so I was glad that he was such a poser! ;)
J
Seeing him was a bonus at the castle John.
ReplyDeleteI love that third shot. Surveying his kingdom.
Thank you Keith,
DeleteIt was a bonus, considering there wasn't an awful lot else going on in the sky!
J
Hi John...Well not all birds are that accommodating are they! He is just beautiful..I love there eyes!! You need to take Lisa with you more often ; }...looks like the Canon is working out great!
ReplyDeleteI fell in love with the American Kestrel after they nested in the hollow of the tree in my front yard last summer,up until them I was not big on birds of prey, mostly because of there kill, but to see them ever day with there young was a real treat!!
Have a good weekend!
Grace
Hi Grace,
DeleteLisa is far better at spotting any sort of creature! She is the first to see anything, it must be her younger eyes! ;)
All birds need to eat, it is just unfortunate that these have to kill things in order to do that. Having said that, I doubt that the worm gives itself up willingly to the Blackbird. :)
J
How splendid these are, love them!
ReplyDeleteThank you Mary, too kind.
DeleteJ
Fantastic! Well done :) Glad you had a good time in the Lakes. Last time we were there we had to be rescued by Mountain Rescue when the field we were camping in flooded!
ReplyDeleteThank you Omi! Yes, it was good, if only for a couple of days.
DeleteCrikey, I am glad that Lisa and I didn't have quite as much excitement as that!
J