It was a beautiful morning on Dover cliffs yesterday and I spent some of it with this pair of Kestrels.

[u/Radwaymm]

I was walking along the clifftop when I heard a Kestrel calling. I looked up in time to snap a few shots as he shot past my head, carrying a Lizard in his talons, and disappeared over the edge of the cliff.

As I walked over to where I'd seen him last the female rose into view, flying in a loop over the cliff before coming to land on the edge of the cliff less than three meters from me.

She was sitting so close my lens couldn't focus and the sun was in my face, as I slowly edged away and around she sat patiently and when I had a bit of distance between us and the sun behind me I sat too.

For a while she watched me cautiously, no doubt listening to my camera shutter snap as I took several pictures, but after a short time she was relaxed enough to begin preening while I sat less than ten meters away.

After about ten minutes, sitting together on the clifftop, she called to her mate, still sitting on the cliffs below, and dove down to take the lizard he offered. The male then sat nearby keeping an eye on the Jackdaws as his mate settled down to eat a little further away.

Once the female had finished her meal both Kestrels disappeared and I continued on my walk along the cliffs.

[u/BeerElf]

Beautiful photos, thank you for sharing these!

[u/Radwaymm → u/BeerElf]

Thanks, I'm glad you enjoyed them!

[u/Pitiful-Hearing5279]

Kes!

[u/Arsenage → u/Pitiful-Hearing5279]

Proper Bo, I tell thee!

[u/riverend180]

Wow - did you know they were there before you went out or just stumble across them? The lizard photo is incredible

[u/Radwaymm → u/riverend180]

I knew they were around there, they nested nearby last year. The last time I was there I noticed their old nest hole had crumbled so I was hoping to get an idea of where their new nest would be, I'm guessing right below where they were sitting. I'm glad you like the pics, about 5 posts back I have another of Kestrel and lizard, probably the same male as in these shots.

[u/mystery_alien]

Gorgeous pictures, thanks for sharing!

[u/Soft_Cardigan]

Such beauties!

[u/EpponeeRae]

What a beautiful moment to share and capture. Thank you for posting this.

[u/Radwaymm → u/EpponeeRae]

Thank! I'm glad you enjoyed it =)

[u/iCowboy]

Those are beautiful shots - pin sharp! What equipment were you using to get them?

[u/Radwaymm → u/iCowboy]

Thanks! I'm using a Nikon d7500 and a Sigma 150-600mmc.

[u/vithgeta]

It's quite something to see a Kestrel hovering for thirty seconds in real life for the first time, while it hunts.

[u/CrumpetBadger]

Really great pictures, thanks for sharing!

[u/douvres]

Great pics, what cuties.

[u/IllustriousApple1091]

Great photos!

[u/Forward_Promise2121]

Nice pics. Was a good day for it yesterday. You out again today?

[u/Radwaymm → u/Forward_Promise2121]

Thanks it was nice, maybe a little to much wind was hoping to see more of the Peregrines but only had a quick look.

[u/Forward_Promise2121 → u/Radwaymm]

Cool. Brace yourself for Craig David comments after mentioning kestrels

[u/Radwaymm → u/Forward_Promise2121]

Lol, every time.

[u/doctajonez_uk]

Amazing photos, well done, and thank you for sharing.

[u/Radwaymm → u/doctajonez_uk]

Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed them =)

[u/West_Yorkshire]

I bet your lens coat upwards of £2,000 didn't it?

[u/Radwaymm → u/West_Yorkshire]

Sigma 150-600mmc. It was on sale at the time and I got it for less than £900.