Urban Kestrels

This is what it generally looks like to find a kestrel;
bad light, so you just have an outline to work with.

This little female looks like she's nursing a HUGE lunch!

Viva La Red-tails

Not much more to say other than the blog post title.  Nothing like a super cold Minnesota morning to make me dream about warm summers.  And red-tails.

This youngster posed nicely on the treetop.

Short-eared Owls

At sundown, photography can be challenging.  At past sundown, more so.  Add some snow (as in, snowing, not just on the ground), and it's pretty impossible.  Oh, wait - the subject is several hundred yards away.

Short-eared owls hunting.  Past sundown.  As it's snowing.  And they are not choosing to be super-close.

There were two birds hunting at the same time.  You
can see one on the ground, to the far left, and
one flying to the middle/right.

Catching Up - Swallowtails and Frogs

 In the thick of summer and fall, it's hard to keep up with photographing, downloading and posting.  Now that things are a bit slower, I can sift through a few folders.  Or few dozens or so.

Tiger swallowtails were in the yard a lot.  These two actually started a throwdown right above my yard.  Green frog was out where I banded at one point. 

Pheasant Smack Down

What a sight!  Two pheasant roosters engaged in quite a battle.  Was out birding with friend Mary, and came upon them.  One flew away, and the winner actually had a limp as he ducked into the grasses.

SD Raptors

Quite a nice assortment of raptors in SD right now.  Thanks to my dad for taking me around to find them!

Female American kestrel.  Very typical.  Pic
is of of the bird flying away. 

Wow - this little male did not move at all!

Holy moly - this was amazing!  Ferruginous
hawk - just chill. 

What a beast!

Red-tail flying - check out the molt pattern
in the tail.

Pretty bird! Landed so you can see part of that
odd molt.

Swainson's everywhere. 

Check out how long the wingtips are -
almost even with the tail.

Prairie falcon with lunch!

Inspirational Thoughts from a Kingbird

I have to admit that one of my pet peeves are the inspirational posters with a random eagle on it.  Advice on success and pursuing your dreams is fine; eagles don't care, though. 

On a recent trip to SD, my dad and I came across a Ferruginous hawk - quite a find!  The bird was pretty chill for a while - until a Western Kingbird decided that for no reason whatsoever, other than he was a kingbird, that he should make the hawk move.  Probably the first time ever that I was a bit put out with a kingbird.  Although the experience did make me give props to the feisty little guys.

I had some fun with the inspirational quotes - enjoy!