This first winter / second calendar year male Common Kestrel perched nicely on a dead branch. John, who I was guiding on a Birding Netherlands tour, and I sneaked up to the bird using a shed as a shelter.
We got some shots and waited for the falcon to continue hunting for mice. It's always nice to try to get some take off shots but this can take a while. Holding and aiming the lens makes your arms burn but you don't want to miss the shot.
Luckily the bird didn't test our patience and endurance and took off and was even so kind to fly close by. The AF got the bird again when it passed by just about 20 metres at almost eye level.
