27/03/2023
It’s moments like this I wish I had better equipment, although I’m reasonably happy with what I have, shots like this really push the limits of what I’m working with.
Pictured here is a Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides), in the midst of hunting for its evening meal. This particular species of bird is unique amongst Australian raptors in the way it hovers over its hunting fields looking for prey.
I’ve been watching a flock of these birds quite close to home, there’s a couple of open fields that they fly and hover over whilst hunting and I’ve counted approximately 8-10 different birds in the area, and they’re such a privilege to watch, their aerial prowess is impressive, however, their attack on their prey is not quite so graceful, in fact, they tend to fall like an out of control parachutist, hitting the target more like a falling stone, regardless, it’s fun to watch!
The only thing with watching these birds, is my eyes tend to be directed skyward, which meant that I had a little run in with a red bellied black snake… a very fat and happy red bellied black snake… unfortunately because I was messing around with a new monopod, I didn’t quite catch a photo of my fat little friend,only it’s tail disappearing into the grass, but I intend to get a shot of it, I’m on the lookout.
