A Peregrine Falcon And A Salute To Bob Walters

This is a good time of year to be on the lookout for Peregrine Falcons on Antelope Island, especially along the causeway. I watch for them year-round but in my experience late fall and early winter seems to be the best time for them as they feed on migrating waterfowl. I’ve seen several Peregrines and Prairie Falcons from the causeway in the last couple of months but sightings have been sporadic and so far they’ve always been far out on the mud flats or in flight.

 

peregrine-falcon-2628b-ron-dudley1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in

I photographed this juvenile Peregrine Falcon along the causeway almost exactly a year ago (11/11/15) . It was obviously hunting ducks as it hopscotched from perch to perch for much of the morning though I never did see it make an actual attempt at prey. Because it was such a young bird it seemed more tolerant of causeway traffic than an adult would typically be.

 

I seldom see a Peregrine Falcon without thinking of Bob Walters. Bob has been DWR’s Watchable Wildlife Program Director for decades. He’s an avid birder who loves Utah’s wildlife, particularly Salt Lake City’s famous resident Peregrine Falcons. When falcons started nesting on SLC’s tall downtown buildings years ago it was Bob and his army of volunteers who kept watch over them, monitored their nests and offspring, rescued young (or adult) birds that were injured when they crashed into the buildings and mourned their loss when eggs didn’t hatch or falcons died. Bob did an incredible job of raising public awareness and support for Peregrine Falcons in Utah.

But Bob’s positive contributions to Utah’s wildlife haven’t been limited to falcons. He’s done similar work with nesting Bald Eagles near the Great Salt Lake (very few Bald Eagles nest in our state) and he’s led countless public wildlife-watching excursions all over the state. His efforts at publicizing the plight of our wildlife and raising public awareness and support for non-game species in particular have been ongoing for decades and very effective. It was Bob who launched our annual Bald Eagle Day way back in 1990. I for one appreciate his dedication and hard work more than I can express.

Occasionally when one of SLC’s falcons has been injured and rehabilitated it’s eventually released on Antelope Island (an example can be seen here). Every time I see or photograph a Peregrine along the causeway I wonder if that bird would even be there without Bob’s efforts.

A couple of days ago I ran into Bob at Farmington Bay WMA. He’s been checking the harvest of duck hunters as they leave the refuge. Bob told me that after 30+ years of work with DWR he’s planning on retiring in a few weeks. Since Farmington is crawling with almost as many birders and bird photographers as hunters this time of year I thought some of my local friends and readers might want to thank Bob for all he’s done and wish him well in his retirement as they leave the refuge (I suspect he’ll continue to check hunters until he retires so he should be there at least sporadically).

Since my encounter with Bob I’ve been wondering how many of my favorite photographs (and memories) I wouldn’t even have without his efforts.

Many thanks, Bob. Enjoy your retirement!

Ron

 

25 Comments

  1. I have never had the pleasure of meeting Bob Walters, however I appreciate all protectors of our feathered friends and I want to wish Bob all the best in his retirement. However, I bet he’ll be connected to this life until he can’t be. Wish I’d met you Bob. I did meet Bill Fenimore and bird hunt with him and I assume he was a friend of your. Best to you! Linda

  2. Thanks, to you Ron, in particular, for the too kind words, and, as per normal, wonderful photo. Fun to hear from those distant from SLC whom I do not know, and some who fell in love with the Salt Lake City peregrine falcon families through the years! FYI – I’m really uneasy as to what I’ll do after 40+ years. But, chances are, I’ll continue to watch, enjoy, remain concerned and fight for all those splendid, living things that surround us.

  3. The Bob Walters of this world are absolutely, positively necessary for the ongoing survival of our wildlife. Without folks like Bob, well, I really don’t want to go there. THANK YOU Bob! Thank you!

  4. Kudos to the Bob Walters of this world. I know these people officially “retire” but but they usually keep busy with their birding passions until they are not able to, bless them.

  5. I got introduced to Bob Walters through Jim Woolf who shared your article on Facebook. I was instantly hooked on the Peregrine falcon. Through my association with Bob and working with the Peregrines I got the privilege of banding, rescuing, and handling them for many years. It was that love of wildlife instilled in me through Bob’s passion that changed my life from computers to Ecology. I was extremely blessed and I owe him many thanks that I can never repay. Penny ( Thomas, Ciak) Fazio

  6. Thank you Bob for all your dedication to wildlife. We need more people like Bob in the world! Love your Peregrine image Ron. Antelope Island and the Great Salt Lake seem like heaven for Peregrines, maybe a few more cliffs would help them 🙂

  7. Thank you all for the comments so far acknowledging the importance and impact of Bob’s excellent work over the years. I suspect many of us might agree with Patty when she said:

    “Sometimes I think someone like him shouldn’t be allowed to retire until they’ve been cloned”.

    If only it could be…

  8. Thank you Bob.
    The world is better for your presence.

  9. Beautiful bird and a beautifully written post!

  10. Thank you Ron for the article on Bob Walters, he is an exceptional person. I hope he has mentored others at the DNR and fostered the belief in showcasing wildlife.

    I think it will be harder to see the falcons on the causeway this winter with the water levels so low and the shore far away from the road.

  11. Even though I don’t live in Utah, I very much appreciate those who are dedicated to doing the right thing, especially when it is in caring for wildlife. Thank you, Bob!

  12. Sensational shot! Sounds like he’s been a real asset and will be missed!

    Charlotte

  13. Many thanks to Bob and best wishes in his retirement. Hopefully there is someone just as dedicated to birds and other wildlife as he is that will take his place. Such dedication seems to be getting rarer these days. Hate to see him go and thanks, Ron, for a wonderful acknowledgement. Beautiful photo also and I’ll keep my eyes open for them now.

  14. Hope your retirement is pleasant and rewarding. I have followed your efforts for years and have watched the bird cams for several as well. Your dedication to the peregrines has been so valuable and I hope you continue to receives life rewards for your commitments to wildlife.

  15. What a fine appreciation to Bob, who certainly must deserve it from your description of a life well- and meaningfully- lived………thanks so much to Bob, and to you for spreading his “word”.

  16. It’s strange to see a Peregine grounded, sitting in a bouider….I think of them as zooming through the air, like rockets or feathered comets…

    • Patty the causeway has no trees or tall structures other than a few metal sign posts. The birds will pick out a tall rock along the causeway and sit to eat or hunt from. I think it is even stranger when I see them sitting out on the mudflat, they look out of place.

  17. Very nice story Ron!!! Brought tears to my eyes. Some people don’t just talk the talk but actually walk it.So I am trying too. I have notified the division of wildlife here about the 29 road ospreys whose nest keeps falling down. Told them I would start an osprey fund to help pay for box They said they would look into it . . The local Audubon said the would help me with fund raising. But 2 messages later. Haven’t heard anything back from DOW.

  18. I don’t live in Utah, but I do live on the same, small, blue marble that he does and so appreciate his contributions to educate,initiate,rescue, and protect our fellow residents. Sometimes I think someone like him shouldn’t be allowed to to retire until they’ve been cloned. Wonderful portrait of Peregrine! Love the rocky perch….
    PS. “Rare Birds” like him don’t really retire…they’re hooked–for life
    Thank you, Bob!!!

  19. Congratulations go out to Bob as well as genuine gratitude for all he’s done! I wonder what his plans may be for the future. I have a feeling that he may still be out there helping our avian buddies — even if it is no longer part of his “job description.” I don’t see his dedication fading away any time soon! 🙂

  20. Wonderful blog today, Ron!! Bob sounds like a awesome person and voice for our wildlife. Even though he is retiring, I get the feeling he will still be active since it’s obviously in his blood. I hope he sees your blog – I’m sure I won’t be the only one of your followers that will be thanking him and wishing him well in retirement. I know I’m really enjoying my retirement and I sure enjoy seeing the results of yours!!

  21. Beautiful shot and wonderful commentary on Bob. He and folks like him make SO much difference in how people view wildlife. Suspect “retirement” will probably mean just a little less “formal” work for him. 🙂

  22. Lovely bird. And thank you, Bob! He’s left quite a legacy. Dare I say he’s feathered the best quite well. 🙂

  23. Great shot!
    A well deserved acknowledgement.

Comments are closed