Rozanne Rapozo caught this American Kestrel just as it landed. It's fun to see its wing feathers and tail feathers extended. Kestrels use their long tails for balance.

Craig Tooley found this Kestrel staring down a Northern Flicker.

Kestrels are North America's smallest falcon. They eat insects and other small prey. They have an unusual call, rather excited notes, and you can hear it here at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/American_Kestrel/sounds

Thanks to Rozanne and Craig for allowing me to share their photos with you here. To see much more of Craig's nature photography, here is his website: http://www.ruffimage.com

It's been cold here, it was 37 degrees this morning. As we take a break from the rains, passing clouds bring beauty to sunrises and sunsets. There is little wind and the ocean is calm. In other words, an exquisite, lovely day here on the Mendonoma Coast.