American Kestrel photos taken by Sam Boatman
 

These photos were taken at various places around The Villages.

. . . plus 2 more . . .

Incredible shots! thank you!

There is a very small raptor of some sort who lives in a nest box off the multi-purpose trail that follows high lines through the Lopez course, just south of Kittredge. He's really small, like not much bigger than a robin. Is that a Kestrel?

Beautiful

Amazing!

Gorgeous- thanks for sharing!!

Thank you!
 

Thank you for sharing - beautiful!

Wow! Those are beautiful photographs. Obviously, a very talented photographer.

Wonderful picture!!!

Hi, Blueblaze. Sam says that yes, it is a kestrel that you see there.

nice...almost looks like the bird was posing for the camera

You might say... Strictly for the birds.

Thank you! Beautiful pictures from our beautiful village. Nice to see such a pleasant post this morning!

Wow! Thanks for sharing!

I wonder how you got that last picture of the original bunch.....the one where the bird was gliding. Did it require climbing a
a large tree or was there a camera in a drone? Or maybe from a high building? Whatever, they are very good photos!

I guess that some people prefer eye candy to mind candy. I think there is a place for BOTH, but the problem is that there needs to be one section for eye candy and cute, light conversation. And another place where people interested in opinions about hard-hitting news can have a polite conversation. We are surrounded by news that could change the world in a heartbeat and there is no section of a forum to discuss it like what we are - mature human beings with a need for knowledge and especially knowledge gained by reading opinions about REAL-LIFE problems and issues. people that prefer LIGHT entertainment can see that on television and/or go to a local music concert or a TV Land play. The TV Land newspaper is lightweight without controversies or dept of opinions. That is a shame and also a forum should be allowed to have some meaning and depth. People in TV Land talk about how important individual freedom is to them. And then they censure free and deep forum opinions. it leaves me scratching my head!

Reply from Sam:
The ground I was standing on was beside the pond and is of course higher than the pond. Bird flying over pond. We were therefore on the same level.

Start your own Forum...

I agree, If you don't like it why even bother reading it and then taking the time to make a lengthy reply.
:ohdear::ohdear::ohdear:

Those were some fantastic photos Sam...
:coolsmiley::coolsmiley:

Thanks. I suppose that they can dive and catch small fish?

I was hoping that if I put myself on the line with MY (perhaps only mine) OPINIONS. That some might begin to come up with a solution. I believe that to find a solution one person can IDENTIFY the problem and then others are needed to BEGIN finding a solution to that problem. Maybe I have MORE faith in "brainstorming" and group problem solving than others have. Like I said ......the pictures are great and have merit to SHOW to a group like this. And some would make great screensavers. And it could be THOUGHT-PROVOKING if it were followed by a group discussion of (say?) the niche environment carved out by a SMALL raptor vs a larger hawk or eagle. Or if the lakes would have more fish or life in them if there was less fertilizer pollution? Or are these SMALL raptors capable of eating mice (I assume they are). Or do they specialize in eating small salamanders and what I call chameleons but most TV Landers call them something else. ......Discussions like those would just hold my interest longer than, "see the bird, isn't it pretty". That is somewhat interesting, but not worthy of lengthy discussion.

I GAVE you A solution. PUT yourself out on a LINE and START your OWN forum...

THAT way you CAN talk about whatever PROVOKES your THOUGHTS...

WOW!!!! Easy folks, let's not get our feathers ruffled here. Life is too short.

Sam, thoroughly enjoyed seeing your exquisite photos. We rarely get a chance to see birds in such detail. Thanks for posting.

What I read there is, "I like to make critiques and point things out with the expectation / hope others will handle it without further effort on my part." In other words, you're a whiner who points out issues without providing solutions or ideas. I know folks like this, they're generally not very popular, don't promote high, and are not well regarded.

**TANGENT ALERT**

PS- Do those birds fly at night? They would making Kestrel Maneuvers In The Dark. Sorry, weak reference to an obscure '80's band known as OMD or Orchestral Maneuvers In The Dark. The song "Enola Gay" was one of their big hits.