American Kestrel - FINALLY!

It's been so long ago that I don't even remember anymore where I spotted my first American Kestrel. It was probably on flickr or in one of my numerous birding books. Now, a few years later, I've seen many a Kestrel, but trying to get a photo of them is like trying to get a photo of Bigfoot as far as I'm concerned.

I did manage to get a few pictures of one a couple of years ago in the northeast Georgia mountains, but in my haste to get out of the car, I forgot to check my camera settings and so the pictures weren't that great.

ANYWAY, my husband and I were driving across the Tennessee River today and he spotted a gorgeous Kestrel on the power line. We did an illegal "U'ie" and the hawk was still there! I couldn't believe it. I only managed one pic before he spotted me, and three fast ones after he spotted me. He flew, but I still managed one pretty decent photo out of the four. And I'm happy with it, even though it's not the best. :) 

Seeing this hawk made my whole day. He was stunningly beautiful. :)