While I'm waiting for Ozzie and Harriet, the bald eagles in North Ft. Myers, to fly in or out of the nest there's quite a bit of down time just standing around. So, I end up looking for other possible photo opps. The last time I was at the nest I got really lucky and saw this kestrel. Isn't she beautiful? The elements were working against me that day. It was windy and shadowy, plus the kestrel was a good 40 yards away in a tree. Yet, I'm still pleased to have captured my first ever sighting of a kestrel. They're quite small -- only 10-12 inches. (They seem really tiny when you compare them to an eagle.) Because of their size they're also known as the sparrow hawk. Locating and identifying this kestrel was a team effort. The SDP Junior Editor spotted it with her incredible vision and a freelance photog waiting around killing time was happy to identify it (which I confirmed in my trusty 'Birds of Florida Field Guide'.) I hope to see another one soon at a closer distance. As for Ozzie and Harriet, my fingers are crossed to catch up with them this weekend.
