Kestrel

jeffnles1 · Jun 27, 2016

This was a once in a lifetime luck shot. Saw this Kestrel (Sparrow Hawk) flying around with a lizard in its mouth. As it was flying toward me, it put on the brakes and went the other direction. Captured this shot at the right moment.

Fox Mike · Jun 27, 2016

Great action shot. Looks like he was changing direction rather quickly.

jeffnles1 · Jun 27, 2016

Fox Mike said:
Great action shot. Looks like he was changing direction rather quickly.

He saw me and put on the brakes for sure.

coach · Jun 27, 2016

Heck of a shot.

Don Lovel · Jun 27, 2016

I have tried numerous times to get a good picture of one of our neighborhood Kestrels, tough shot to get. Seeing one with a lizard in his mouth, super cool.
When I was a kid I loved watching them snag huge grasshoppers out of the air next to the tractor when I was discing wheat fields and planting mung beans every summer

Mike Armstrong · Jun 27, 2016

Beautiful bird; GREAT shot!

powder smoke · Jun 28, 2016

Good one Jeff! ps

don44 · Jun 28, 2016

Thumbs Up!

Rumrunner · Jun 28, 2016

Amazing

WendyZXZ · Jun 28, 2016

That is a great picture!

jeffnles1 · Jun 29, 2016

thanks all. I was happy with the way the shot turned out. It truly was a point-shoot-hope for the best moment. Only get one try with these guys and poof they are gone. I had the continuous shooting mode on, held down the shutter button and let if fly away. Of about 15 shots in the series, this is the only one that turned out. Others blurry, off center, wings hiding the body, whatever. This shot captured him at the moment he realized I was standing in the field and he put on the brakes and headed off 90 degrees away from me.