Critters

Ewgh! I've been trying to get back to blogging because I MISS it and you all, when I don't! I love you all dearly and really do try to get here, but recently I've had several irons in the fire and struggling to post. However, here I am now and without further ado, my post for Eileen's Saturday Critters. 

After the most welcome summer rains which have cooled down the earth,  Skabenga and I are getting our daily walk in - sometimes twice daily! 

At the moment the migrating Amur falcons are prolific in our area. I managed to take photos but when I downloaded them, they were a total disappointment. I'm going out there soon again and will post on Wild Bird Wednesday if I have better images. 

 The lad loves his walk and of course, Mama gets her exercise in at the same time! 

Amur falcon (female) 

Amur falcon (male) 

The Amur falcon (Falco amurensis) is a small raptor of the falcon family. It breeds in south-eastern Siberia and Northern China before migrating in large flocks across India and over the Arabian Sea to winter in Southern Africa.

Males are dark grey with reddish brown thighs and undertail coverts; reddish orange eye-ring, cere, and feet. Females are duller above, with dark scaly markings on white underparts, an orange eye ring, cere, and legs. Only a pale wash of rufous is visible on their thighs and undertail coverts. Their diet consists mainly of insects, such as termites; during migration over the sea, they are thought to feed on migrating dragonflies.

I'm always fascinated by the Amur Falcon because for one of the very few times in the bird world, the female is definitely more attractive than the male! 

For more beautiful (and much better photos of birds) please click here

HAPPY SATURDAY TO YOU ALL!