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American Kestrel, male.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 5, 2008.
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The River "S" Unit of the Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge has a 4.2 mile auto tour route and 1.5 mile seasonal hiking trail. The auto tour is an excellent way to see the Refuge. A pair of binoculars is a must and a camera makes it even more fun !!!
The adults are difficult birds to photograph as they wont let you get close ... however the younger ones seem curious.
The following are images captured of the Kestrel. Not all American Kestrel images are shown here, more can be found throughout the Trip Logs.
Also, link out to the "Trip Logs" to see more images of various birds, wildflowers, and wildlife seen each day.
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American Kestrel, male.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, April 14, 2007.
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American Kestrel, male.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, June 26, 2007.
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American Kestrel, male, hunting.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Left image taken July 1, 2007, and right image taken July 3, 2007.
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I am going to assume the following two images are of a Kestrel juvenile based on the actions of this bird. The bird is sitting on the post holding the nesting box and this one let me drive up and stop. The adults SELDOM let me get close, yet this youngster just sat there and watched me. After about 30 seconds he opened his mouth and just kept calling and calling and calling. While the calling was going on there was another Kestrel circling and acting agitated in the field across from the nesting box. When "the youngster" finally flew off it was only to the ground in the bramble about 10 feet away from the post towards Lake River.
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American Kestrel, juvenile.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, July 19, 2007.
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American Kestrel, female.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, July 24, 2007.
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American Kestrel, male.
Note banding on right leg.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, July 24, 2007.
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American Kestrel, female.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, July 24, 2007.
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American Kestrel, male.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, July 24, 2007.
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American Kestrel, female.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, July 24, 2007.
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American Kestrel, female (left) and male (right).
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, July 24, 2007.
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American Kestrel, female (left) and male (right).
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, July 24, 2007.
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American Kestrel, male, showing back of head.
Telephoto image, enlarged 150%.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, July 24, 2007.
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American Kestrel, male, wings.
Note banding on right leg.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, July 24, 2007.
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American Kestrel, female.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, July 29, 2007.
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American Kestrel, female.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, July 29, 2007.
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American Kestrel, male, showing tail feathers.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, July 29, 2007.
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American Kestrel, youngster, female.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, July 29, 2007.
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American Kestrel, female with rodent (left) and female in flight (right).
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, August 14, 2007.
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American Kestrel, male.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, August 27, 2007.
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American Kestrel, male.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, September 19, 2007.
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American Kestrel.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, October 5, 2007.
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American Kestrel.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, October 5, 2007.
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American Kestrel, female
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, November 21, 2007.
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American Kestrel.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, November 21, 2007.
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American Kestrel, male.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, November 23, 2007.
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American Kestrel, male.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, November 23, 2007.
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American Kestrel ... with lunch ...
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, January 16, 2008.
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American Kestrel.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, January 16, 2008.
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American Kestrel.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, February 3, 2008.
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American Kestrel ... with lunch ...
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, February 16, 2008.
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American Kestrel, male (left) and female (right).
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, February 19, 2008.
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American Kestrels, mating.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, February 19, 2008.
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American Kestrel, male.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 5, 2008.
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American Kestrel.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, March 8, 2008.
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American Kestrel, male.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken, April 3, 2008.
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American Kestrel.
Ridgefield National Wildlife Refuge, Washington, River "S" Unit.
Image taken April 11, 2008.
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