Tag Archives: smallest falcon

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Rozanne Rapozo caught this American Kestrel just as it landed. It's fun to see its wing feathers and tail feathers extended. Kestrels use their long tails for balance.

Craig Tooley found this Kestrel staring down a Northern Flicker.

Kestrels are North America's smallest falcon. They eat insects and other small prey. They have an unusual call, rather excited notes, and you can hear it here at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Kestrel/sounds

Thanks to Rozanne and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

It's been cold here, it was 37 degrees this morning. As we take a break from the rains, passing clouds bring beauty to sunrises and sunsets. There is little wind and the ocean is calm. In other words, an exquisite, lovely day here on the Mendonoma Coast.

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Sara Bogard photographed this American Kestrel several weeks ago out at the Point Arena Lighthouse bluffs. He sure looks like he's glaring at Sara.

These beautiful, small falcons have migrated off the Mendonoma Coast in recent days because they nest inland. Here is a photo of a male Kestrel showing off his beautiful colors, taken by Ron Bolander.

To hear the calls of this falcon, here is the link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Kestrel/sounds

Thanks to Sara and Ron for allowing me to share their photos with you here.

Surprise! We are having light rain today. We'll take every precious drop.

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Jennifer Massey saw this beautiful, male American Kestrel perched near her Sea Ranch home.

Another day she found him hovering as he searched for a meal.

American Kestrels are North America's smallest falcons but they are fierce hunters of insects and other small animals. They use their long tail feathers to help them hover in the air, as Jennifer's second photo shows. Their call isn't very musical, in fact it sounds like someone laughing to me. See what you think, as you can listen at this link at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Kestrel/sounds

Thanks to Jennifer for allowing me to share her photos with you here.

We had a couple of storms move through today and our rain gauge shows .96 inches. Mushrooms are popping!