[squbrigg]

I'm a great fan of birds, real, carved, painted, etc. This past week, I have had the pleasure of watching two special birds at work.

While waiting for the school bus to arrive with my granddaughter on Friday, I was sitting in my car carving and happened to look up and spotted a wonderful American Kestrel hunting in the field opposite me. He circled an area of the field and then landed on the telephone lines alongside the road, perched a while and dove to do another sweep, and returned again. Had my binoculars but not my camera, unfortunately.

Sunday, I went across the river to a small community, Nelson Miramichi, it was called, to observe a hawk in a friends yard. They live on the bank of the river and a Broad Wing Hawk family has taken up residance in a tree between their back yard and the river. He thought it was a Perigrine Falcon, at first, as did I, but our friend Hugh Parks pointed out the proper ID. His ID makes much more sense, as the behavior fits the activity profile much more accurately. Brought camera with me, though the images aren't great.

What a pleasure to watch these birds, a real gift.

Going back today to see if I can spot an Osprey reported to be fishing in the area.

Bob

[Hi_Ho_Sliver]

Did he get stopped at the border Bob?

[Irish]

Bob ... I don't think that is a Kestrel. Kestrals are one of the smallest hawk at about 7 to 9 inches in length. Around here they are not that much bigger than an American Robin. The Kestrel also has some very distinctive features as a black vertical stripe running through his eye and a sharp redish brown and then blue grey coloring for the back and wings.

I think what you are showing is a broad winged hawk that stands about 13" high with a wing span of around 33".

Here are two website photos .... you'll know well better than I which is closest to your photos. But my first impression of your excellent photos is that your hawk is way too big for a Kestrel.

Kestrel Hawk
American Kestrel Hawk aka Sparrow Hawk pictures from wildlife photos on webshots

Broad Winged Hawk
Broad Winged Hawk

Susan

[Ashbys]

Bob Great Pics!

Ash

[Alice in Wonderland]

Bob we live in the bush too and I too enjoy our Hawks especially in the Winter when he swoops around the Birdfeeder, they are Birdhawks( I am sure there is a better name :-))) I see if I manage some pictures too. I heard an Osprey today , somehow ours are a bit smaller they have their nest laong the St.Lawrence River around the 1000 Islands .
Alice

[squbrigg]

Thanks for the tip Susan, but I knew that wasn't the Kestrel. I didn't have the camera for the Kestrel. Wish I had though, Kestrel's a beautiful bird, much more colourful than the Broad Wing Hawk.

Bob

[Irish]

My apologizes Bob! I must have read your posting far too fast.

Susan