American Kestrel
My friend Kathee has a pair of American Kestrels nesting in her yard. Several years ago, she bought an owl box and mounted it high in a tree. Owls never came to claim the box, but a pair of kestrels has been nesting in her yard for several years now.
Earlier in the season, Kathee would tell me stories about watching the birds do their mating dance. According to the birdhouses101 website:
The American Kestrel is generally not a social bird and they mate monogamously. In general, pairing starts about 4 weeks before egg laying. The male (or sometimes the female) tries to catch the attention of the opposite sex by executing high dives. Once a pair has been formed, the practice of courtship feeding commences. That is, the male frequently presents food to the female. Upon pairing, the Kestrel pair marks their territory. Presumably, the male protects the territory while the female warms the eggs. Male Kestrels are also known to sit on the eggs from time to time.
Eggs have been laid and have hatched already. It’s not unusual to see a chick in the opening of the box. We’re not sure how many chicks there are, but kestrels generally lay 3-7 eggs. They hatch about a month after they’re laid. From what I’ve read online, they fledge when they’re about 30 days old, and stay close to the parents for a few weeks afterward. I bet Kathee starts seeing the chicks leave the box in a few weeks. How exciting!
Yesterday, I visited Kathee’s home and we spent some time watching the kestrels soar above, catching dragonflies and then taking them to the nesting box for the chicks. At times, the female kestrel would perch at the top of a tall tree, scanning the area around her for prey. Then she’d take off in a swoop and come back with a big dragonfly in her mouth. The male would circle overhead or sit in a tree as if standing guard over his family. It was all so neat to witness!
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After watching the birds for awhile, and enjoying lunch outside in the sunshine, Kathee and I visited the Georgeson Botanical Gardens at UAF. The sun was really bright, which doesn’t make for very nice photos. Nevertheless, we enjoyed our walk through the gardens, admiring the many colors of the blooms, and using the identification placards to learn more about the plants. (That’s Kathy to the left)
The Babula Children’s Garden is coming along nicely. I love the children’s pond garden, and the interactive hydroelectric wheel and trough that leads to a meandering stream. There is also a hedge maze under construction, and when it is fully grown, it will be a fun part of the gardens to explore.
Kathee and I took in as much shade as we could - it was a scorcher of a day in Fairbanks, by our standards. With 75F and bright sunshine, shade and a visit to Hot Licks Ice Cream was in high demand! I was feeling very dehydrated, so I opted for a Hawaiian Ice. Kathee had a coffee ice cream, and took home a “cold porter” for her husband. It was delicious.
All in all, I had a wonderful day with a fantastic lady. We have to do it again soon.
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Here’s one more photo from yesterday. I took this of Kathee when she was sitting under a tree. When I saw my reflection in her sunglasses, I decided to use a selective coloring effect on the photo, using Photoshop.
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Weather permitting, Lori and I are going to drive up past Eagle Summit on Saturday. I’m not sure if we’ll go all the way to Central (or Circle, for that matter). We’re going in search of fireweed. The area up near Eagle Summit was scorched very badly by one of the many 2004 fires, and fireweed has claimed the devastated area and turned the black to magenta. It’s a sight to see! I hope the weather cooperates.
Until next time…
I Love the “selective coloring” I always become so Inspired when I read your blog and view all your Beautiful photos
but you didn’t include the “Plumber” lol
Liz
[Reply]
Susan Stevenson Reply:
July 8th, 2010 at 2:41 pm
Hahahahahaha about the plumber. I don’t want him to see himself here - for all the masses to enjoy. LOL At least in FB, it’s a little less circulated. I give him high fives though. He worked hard to clear the beds of weeds. We need volunteers - even if their pants are a little droopy. *laughs*
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Liz McCollough — July 8, 2010 @ 2:36 pm
Susan,
Love your photos as usual. I just got back to MO from Akiak where I was going through orientation and making sure everything that we need for our new house. I love it up there and we can’t wait to move up for good at the end of the month. Thanks again for sharing all of your wonderful photos and adventures!
Owen
[Reply]
Susan Stevenson Reply:
July 10th, 2010 at 4:50 am
Hi Owen! How wonderful that things are moving along for you and your family. Are you or your wife bloggers? If so, and you have time, I know I would love to read about life in Akiak. I follow about 30 blogs from around the state - some from big cities, and many from small villages and remote areas. It is so interesting to read about life in other parts of this beautiful state.
Be safe traveling, and I hope all goes smoothly for you all as you make the transition. Good luck!
Susan
[Reply]
Owen Reply:
July 10th, 2010 at 2:34 pm
Susan,
I am sorry, I meant to send you the link to my wife’s blog before now. Anyway, here is the link to her blog that she started once we learned that I had the job teaching in Alaska.
http://shorttriptoinsanity.blogspot.com/
Michelle has been writing it since right after we found out. Thanks a lot.
Owen
[Reply]
Susan Stevenson Reply:
July 10th, 2010 at 6:35 pm
Thank you so much, Owen! I’ve added it to Google Reader so I can follow your adventures. Looking forward to reading about what life is like in Akiak.
Comment by Owen — July 9, 2010 @ 7:40 pm
Susan That really is very interesting on the Kestrel.
Also I’m sure that you really did some research on that bird. Really enjoyed reading about it. I’ve
always said with out your Journal on a lot of things,
we would not know about things from up there in
Alaska. I’m sure everyone that reads your Journal feel
the same way So from me We Thank you
Please take care The best to you both
Love John and Shirley
[Reply]
Susan Stevenson Reply:
July 10th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
The kestrels were so amazing to watch, John. I loved seeing the mama bird bring dragonflies to her babies. My fiend Kathee told me that the babies fledged yesterday! I’m glad I caught them before they left the nest. It’s so exciting to watch nature at work.
Love you,
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by John and Shirley Strauser — July 10, 2010 @ 7:01 am
Great captures on the kestrels. It’s an interesting read too.
Glad that you have friends that enjoy the same things you do. The new additions to the gardens sound wonderful.
[Reply]
Susan Stevenson Reply:
July 10th, 2010 at 6:29 pm
It was a real thrill to see the kestrels, especially after Kathee had told me about them so many times. The baby fledged yesterday, so I was lucky to see him when I did!
The gardens are gorgeous. When you come to visit me, I’ll take you there.
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Kat — July 10, 2010 @ 10:45 am
Hi Susan. Wendy, a friend of mine turned me on to this site and I love seeing your photos. You take wonderful ones. I was in Anchorage for the 2nd time earlier this summer. Your take on Alaska really interests me. This post had great pics. I love the reflective one in the sunglasses.
[Reply]
Susan Stevenson Reply:
July 10th, 2010 at 6:32 pm
Hi Connie, and thanks for commenting. I’m glad that you enjoy my journaling and photos. I truly love living here. The summer months especially, make the winter months more tolerable.
Be well,
Susan
[Reply]
Comment by Connie — July 10, 2010 @ 3:40 pm