Thursday, February 4, 2010

SkyWatch Friday - Sunrise

This morning as I was getting the firewood for the day from the backyard, the sun was just below the skyline.  I quickly hurried back to the house to grab my camera only to be a little late for the most beautiful picture.  The sun was peeking over the horizon as I got this shot - not the best, but a great start of the day.


Later as I was coming home from school, I interrupted a kestrel snacking on a gopher.  As I stopped it flew off and I was able to get this beautiful picture of it flying off with its lunch.  It was overcast with a few snowflakes falling and did not make for a great background, but I was pleased with my luck.

Just the beginning and end of another wild day in Idaho.

35 comments:

Betsy Banks Adams said...

Wow---that kestrel with its lunch is a fabulous picture. I'm not sure you could ever get a better one... Awesome!!!

The sunrise was beautiful also.
Betsy

Sylvia K said...

Oh, yes! I love the kestrel with it's lunch, too! What a terrific shot! And that golden sunrise is breathtaking! Have a great weekend, Bill!

Sylvia

Larry said...

Nice sunrise Bill and a great capture of the Kestrel with breakfast! That gopher looks like breakfast and lunch!

Jim said...

I love this sunrise.
Sydney - City and Suburbs .

Angie Moore said...

Great shot of the Kestrel and the sunrise is superb.

Monts said...

Two great shots Bill,wild sky, wild living in wild Idaho.

Jossie said...

Both pictures are wonderful. The flying bird is amazing.

eileeninmd said...

Beautiful sunrise and a great photo, Bill! Your Kestral shot is one of the best I've ever seen. Awesome flight shot.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for visiting my blog. That's a great picture of the kestral with its lunch!

Joe Todd said...

Both great photos. You mentioned bring in firewood. How about some photos of your firewood stack etc. I've always enjoyed "getting" firewood for the season when I use to do that.. Just an idea.. Thanks Bill

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

I love the golden sunrise. The shot of the kestrel flying off with the gopher is spectacular.

This Is My Blog - fishing guy said...

Bill: You really got some wonderful sky shots. Your Kestrel is a wonderful photo.

Loran said...

The golden sky is beautiful but that kestrel shot is incredible! Talk about being in the right place with the right lens! Totally awesome.

Birding is Fun! said...

Both shots are great, but that Kestrel with the gopher in tow is pretty sweet!

Sheila Keller-Powell said...

I think this is an unusual sun pillar? AMAZING!!!

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

The kestrel -- with his dinner -- is just a beautiful shot. And I love how you pulled off the road when you saw it flying. Thanks for doing that and sharing the results! The sunrise looks great too -- nobody would ever have known that you missed the perfect moment.

Regina said...

This is too much! A beautiful sunset and another kind of catch altogether, you must be thrilled! Wonder if your framing some of these?
Appreciated your visit-
Regards-

Regina said...

well I meant sunrise- ha

Regina said...

Such a lovely sky and captures!
Enjoy the weekend.

FAB said...

Two excellent shots Bill. Have a great weekend. FAB.

troutbirder said...

Great kestral shot. We see lots of them on the wires in summer and I saw my first one yesterday, ever, wintering over. Good timing there!

Mary Howell Cromer said...

And the heavens proclaimed~ Beautiful~ The Kestral, just like your recent Coyote posts, are absolutely profound and the timing, I am so green-eyed ;)

Tammy said...

So pretty... I love those little clouds floating above.

Frostbite and Sunburn said...

Fast food - ha! Stunning photo of the kestrel

Janie said...

Hi Bill,
The sunset is gorgeous, and that kestrel shot is an amazing capture. Wow. I showed Steve, and we both want to know how you did it. How close were you? What kind of camera/lens do you use?
I don't think I ever could have been quick enough to make that shot...

lissa said...

wow! great sunrise capture, love the golden colors


thanks for your visit to our skywatch

SAPhotographs (Joan) said...

What a magnificent shot of that kestrel Bill and I like the one of the eagle below this too. That sunset is fantastic.

Stephany said...

I have to agree with everyone else, the kestrel shot is great! The sunset is beautiful. Love your header shot. Thanks for visiting and for your comments!

Dagmar said...

Wow never saw a bird like this. It's colors are magnificent. And the way you've captured it with it's lunch flying over you...just great.

NatureFootstep said...

well, you have the right to be proud of that image. Such a lovely bird and great capture. :)

Linda said...

Beautiful sunrise - a good start to the working day. And what an amazing action shot of the kestrel.

D said...

Bill, beautiful photo of the sunrise, but that of the Kestrel is phenomenal! Look at all the color and markings when you enlarge it. I do wish he'd come by our garden and take care of a few rodents. :)) Have a wonderful weekend. Diana

nonizamboni said...

What luck indeed!--except possibly for the gopher. Beautiful sky to begin the day--very nicely done.

Linnea said...

What timing you had...for both!

Anonymous said...

Bill these are both wonderful photos filled with expression and feeling. The kestrel shot is very unique and is quite interesting to see how big the prey can get up to in relationship to the size of this fantastic bird.