I spent the last sunny day of the week at the Ridgefield NWR on Feb. 24, 2015. Typically, the American Kestrels at the refuge will perch on refuge signs, taking away the natural appeal of the picture. This day, I found one of these most cunning raptors perched on a sticker bush right by the edge of the road. I didn’t get as close as I wanted for two reasons: the bird would probably have flown if I would have pushed my luck, and, I liked the background I was getting at this spot. Moving closer would have left me with a background that was too bright and more distracting.
Canon 7D Mark II, 1/1600, f4, ISO 400, 500mm, 11:56 a.m.