American Kestrel

With an abundance of water in and around Mormon Lake, raptors have been present and active in greater numbers at the overlook than in recent years. I saw 4 to 5 American kestrels playing and hunting along the rim throughout July. Here's a male kestrel settling in atop a juniper tree. I used Lightroom's healing brush to remove a lonely juniper sprig to the left of the bird's perch.