Kestrel Family

Thanks to the generous spirit of some folks in Yellowstone we were able to locate a pair of kestrels and observe them feeding their young.  Attitudes vary greatly about sharing the location of wildlife, especially among photographers.  A few whom I know are happy to share, while others think any animal they find should be theirs exclusively, ignoring the fact that the parks, and the wildlife in them, belong to all American citizens as the motto on the Roosevelt Arch at the north entrance states: "For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People".

This kestrel family was east of Tower Junction.  The adults were not very active during midday, but when the insects began flying as sunset approached they went on a feeding frenzy.  In the following photo the male waits his chance to deliver food to the brood...

His first attempt met with failure because the female was at the nest delivering her own offering...

When she finished the male was able to return...

I was not able to tell how many chicks were in the brood.  I did manage a photo of one peering from the nesting cavity of the tree...

Thanks for visiting, be well, and come back soon.