If anything will get my adrenalin gushing it’s a wild Peregrine Falcon, especially if the encounter is unexpected and I make a rookie mistake.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4 II, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Friday evening of last week we were on our way to photograph the Sandhill Cranes in Wayne County of southern Utah when we found this Peregrine Falcon feeding on a female Cinnamon Teal on a rural, paved road. My guess is that the duck isn’t road kill – what traffic there was on this road was almost entirely very slow farm equipment so it may very well be that the falcon killed the duck in the air and it just happened to fall on the road (there are marshes nearby). As I approached in my pickup the falcon flew off but it hung around in the general area as it flew in the stiff wind.
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4 II, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
It’s been years since a bird gave me buck fever but this one certainly did. This is only the second good opportunity I’ve ever had with a wild Peregrine and because of inexperience I blew the first one and I didn’t want to repeat that dismal performance. But even flying into the wind this falcon was often fast and erratic and I was having a terrible time locking focus. My heart was pounding and I was frustrated by camera angles I couldn’t negotiate through my pickup window and sometime during the pandemonium I apparently pushed a camera button combination that changed my focus points from “single point” to “auto select 19 point”. Now all those active focus points were bouncing all over my viewfinder and I was going nuts in frustration!
I spent a few minutes trying to fix the problem but couldn’t figure out what was going on fast enough. Thankfully I thought of swapping cameras by attaching my backup 7D (with the correct settings) to my 500 mm lens. With that combination I was able to get a few shots I like and this is one of them. The bird has duck blood on its tail and feet.
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4 II, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
It was late enough in the evening that the sun was low enough to give me pretty good light under the wings when the bird banked for this shot. At this point we became concerned that we might be keeping the falcon off its meal so we left to photograph the cranes. When we returned at dusk both the falcon and the duck were nowhere to be seen so I assume the Peregrine ate what it could and flew off with the rest.
I couldn’t believe my luck, both good and bad. My previous experience with a Peregrine had ended in frustration – although that falcon repeatedly buzzed a plastic Great Horned Owl at Farmington I didn’t get a single sharp shot because of my inexperience with a new lens and lack of skills. And now, almost 7 years later, I make a mistake that I’d never made before with another wild Peregrine! Yes, I had a few choice words…
On the other hand I did get a few shots that I like and I’m delighted about that.
Ron
Maybe not roadkill in the traditional sense 😉 Wonderful shots of this surprise roadside attraction!
Thanks, Mike. I figured you might appreciate the bird, my excitement and photographic screw-ups…
Great images,..as is Justine Carson’s–bloody feet and all. Jerry–is t the right foot?
I recently had a chance to photograph a peregrine feeding on a bird that it had killed (a dove I think). I was lucky to be able to watch (and photograph) it while it consumed its meal and then flew off. I went up to the log on which it had been perched and was astounded to find not one scrap of the prey bird remained — not a beak nor foot. So I’m not surprised that you didn’t find any signs of your peregrine’s meal when you returned. I didn’t get any flight shots, but did get a few of the peregrine perched on the log. In this image, there’s not much left of its meal.
http://www.justinecarson.com/p30220775/h2294b225#h2294b225
(Hope it is okay to post this image in my comment.)
Justine
Neat shot, Justine. It isn’t every day folks like you and I get to watch a wild Peregrine consume its meal.
There is one thing very interesting about this individual…I mentioned it a while back on my blog, so Bryce might be able to figure it out. Can anyone else?
I’m stumped. And intensely curious, Jerry. C’mon, give – what is is it?
Well done, Ron and getting it with its prey as well as with the blood is quite the find.Hopefully I will get to see a cow moose suckling its young again because I sure blew the first opportunity- if it takes 7 years it will be worth it.You did a lot of fast thinking and acting to get these shots.Again, well done!
That’s great light and action for the first one especially. A great bird to see and photograph.
I learn so much here and it’s all couched in beauty.
I didn’t notice the bloody tail – what a catch! Thanks for photos of this wonderful wild thing.
Buck fever or not, those are nice photos. I especially like the shot on the road. I usually see a couple of Peregrines each year here in Missouri, but I’ve never seen one with its kill. Thanks for the photo.
Jack Cowan
St.Louis
Awesome captures. Quick thinking to switch to backup camera. Peregrine Fever seems like a more appropriate name for the phenomenon.
Been there done that, but NOT with a Peregrine! I understand fully your frustration, but also your satisfaction with your results!
Wonderful shots in great light, thanks for sharing!!
It is a terrible thing to be human, and make errors isn’t it? And you ‘saved’ yourself and us superbly. Thank you. I suspect I would have been gibbering with excitement and forgotten to take any shots.
How exciting and what fantastic shots!
Charlotte
Wish my “mistakes” came out looking that great! Stunning work.
Great shots Ron, even with the frustrating moments you had, you saved the day and got these nice photos.
Your experience sounds like most of mine when I’m photographing any bird that I’m excited about (which is most of them). These are beautiful and the bird is exquisite. Congratulations.
Good Capture in Great Light!
The tail has blood on it from the duck – as do its feet. He will clean himself up later. Wow Ron. If this is what your “fluffing” looks like then, well – just fabulous. I know what you mean about Peregrines.
You certainly didn’t fluff it this time, those photos are amazing. The lighting in shot 2 is superb.
Awesome shots Ron ! I noticed the edges of the tail feathers look slightly jagged or tattered( to my eye anyway). Is that due to age and or wear and tear of daily living ? Thanks again for sharing your work.
Ron, that second shot is incredible! Almost makes me want to add it to my/your collection.
Thanks again.
I’m glad you like it, Diana. Thank you.