I drove to Grant Narrows today and took too many photos of the Mountain Bluebirds. Very striking bird, especially the males.
But on the way back, I finally spotted a Kestrel. A female I suppose. She was sitting high up and continuously scanning the ground. She swooped down twice while I watched her.
I think I came as close as she would allow. Occasionally, as in these photos, she eyeballed me.
In photos in my reference books, I haven't seen such a rufous top of the head, the orange spot on the nape of the neck and the little orange buttons on her bill.
First Kestrel I've ever seen. Looked brown from a distance.


Bonus shot of a flying Mountain Bluebird. Another nice shot on the Flickr page.
