American Kestrel at the Lake Express Milwaukee Wisconsin November 19, 2015

I birded the lakefront in Milwaukee early this morning. One of the highlights was a beautiful male American Kestrel at the Lake Express Ferry. It worked from the fences getting grasshoppers and eating them. It was really focused on food, it must know there is winter storm in the forecast. The rest of the lakefront was very quiet, few ducks. Another highlight was the Northern Shrike at the Milwaukee Community Gardens. When I drove into the gardens, there was the shrike on top of some small deciduous trees in the middle of the garden area. Most likely is the same bird that was reported by Jen on Monday. I stopped and took a distant shot of the bird. I watched it hunt and catch a few things and then it left the area. I hung around an hour it never returned. The Northern Shrike image is last. Images were taken on November 19, 2015.

Northern Shrike with a grasshopper

American Kestrel with a grasshopper after catching it over the fence

American Kestrel

Binomial name: Falco sparverius

Category: Caracaras and Falcons

Size: 9” long, 22” wing span

Weight: 4.1 oz

Cool facts: I’ve also heard it called a sparrow hawk

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

Here the wind gave the bird a rough time but it steadied itself

Here the wind gave the bird a rough time but it steadied itself

Here too, the wind gave the bird a rough time but it steadied itself

Here too, the wind gave the bird a rough time but it steadied itself

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel still eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel still eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel eating the grasshopper

American Kestrel

American Kestrel

American Kestrel

American Kestrel

American Kestrel

American Kestrel

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American Kestrel hunting

American Kestrel, image taken 11/20/15

American Kestrel, image taken 11/20/15

Northern Shrike, distant shot

Northern Shrike, distant shot at the Milwaukee Community Gardens 11/19/15

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About admin

Window to Wildlife features the photography of Jim Edlhuber. A lifelong native of Wisconsin, Jim has been photographing wildlife for 20 years. He considers himself an avid photographer and is always trying to capture nature and wildlife through his lens. He is in several photography clubs and has won numerous awards for his work. In recent years, Jim has focused mostly on birding photography and finds it to be the most challenging.

3 Responses to American Kestrel at the Lake Express Milwaukee Wisconsin November 19, 2015

  1. Annie says:

    Awesome. Nice to see the Kestrel up close and personal. We see them on the high wires all the time. And the Shrike was a bonus, right?

  2. Nan Wisherd says:

    Beautiful photos of beautiful birds. Thanks for sharing!

  3. Jane Becker says:

    The Kestrel is one of my favorites and these pictures are great. Very clear shots. Did you use your 400mm lens? They look so close. Fantastic!

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