Welcome to another B & W Wednesday, hope all is well in you in your part of the world. The norm of this post is a single photograph. I will be posting a few images if they are related to the day and place they where photographed.
So the location is in the Dromara hills close to my home. The morning was heavy fog but around 11.30 am the sun was burning it off and opening the views to that layered effect.
This was taken has I climbed up through Drumkerragh forest has the fog was thinning.
With the fog clearing quickly has I walked higher up into the forest the sound of crows and ravens filled the valley with there calls. Pairs flying from tree top to tree top it gave me a chance to get a few nice images. This one below is off a couple of Ravens on a dead tree.
Raven ( Corvus corax) is a member of the crow family.
https://www.rspb.org.uk/birds-and-wildlife/wildlife-guides/bird-a-z/raven/
In spring if you ever get the chance to watch Ravens do their courting flight, please watch them. They love to fly and at times you might think they have a death wish has they race towards the earth.
Here’s a link to a short Youtube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rFKcj9aN7ZI
My next encounter was a small bird of prey, a Kestrel. I saw it sitting on a tree top and slowly made my way towards it. I lost sight of it and then has I rounded a group of trees there she sat. I got a few images has she sat looking around her but a bunch of twigs was spoiling them. Then she took off and came my way drifting on the breeze looking for prey. Nearly above me she started to hover and that’s when I got the following image.
Kestrel ( Falco tinnunculus ) belongs to the falcon family of birds.
Kestrel:https://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/trees-woods-and-wildlife/animals/birds/kestrel/
These are another fun bird to watch has they hover in the sky looking for small prey on the ground, when spotted the drop at great speed onto there prey.
Kestrel hovering, this is a great slow motion film. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c0D-J0cgJME
Kestrel hovering and the dive in real time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LaRSihpIU34
Hope you enjoyed a little part of my morning walk and a few of the wildlife we have here in Northern Ireland.
Take care and stay safe.
George.
George McNeill Photography 
top shots george
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Thanks Ian, it was one for those morning’s where nothing looked promising but the last hour out proved otherwise. ☘️
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your work is exceptional George!! All the blessings of the season!!
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Thank you Cybele, may you and your family have a Merry Christmas and a happy New year 🤗. ☘️
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Loved the Drumkerragh forest image and beautiful capture of the kestrel (also enjoyed the videos)! Happy New Year and looking forward to another year of enjoying your walks and rides through Ireland!!
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I had planed a couple of new projects for this year but a small living cell changed life for so many. So walking replaced a lot of time during lockdowns and gave me some great wildlife experiences. The motorbike has seen little use but hopefully it might be possible to travel a little more in the coming year.
Thank you for your support and I wish you all a Happy New year 🥂☘️
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Beautiful shot
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Thank you Athira, and welcome to George McNeill Photography. I look forward to reading more for your verses and writing’s.
Loving kindness to you and your family 🙏🏻
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Wow what a shot of the Female Kestrel!
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Thanks Diane, one of those shots where you are in the right spot with the camera ready. And it was around 20feet above me, think it posed for me fanning its feathers just at the right moment. 😁☘️
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Your first image drew me in, lovely layers in the mist, and then you surprised by with some great bird shots! We get Forrest Ravens here in Tasmania, but not crows. You have a new follower 🙂
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Thank you for the follow and your comments.
Welcome to my blog.
George ☘️
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