An older photo that I haven’t published before.
1/2000, f/5.6, ISO 1600, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Back in November of 2015 this young Peregrine Falcon played cat and mouse games with me for much of the morning. “He” was hunting along the seven mile length of the Antelope Island causeway, so he’d fly far out over the water as he was hunting ducks and then return to some unpredictable spot along the causeway to perch and rest for a while. The mostly cloudy weather and mediocre light made him difficult to locate, whether he was flying or perched.
This interesting and photogenic rock is my favorite perch out of several that I found him on. In this shot I believe he’s looking at potential prey far out over, or on, the water because once he looked in that direction he didn’t look away, that I noticed. When the photo was taken he was turning on his perch in preparation for taking off in the direction he’s looking, which he did a few moments later.
As I recall I got the takeoff shots but he was looking away from me so I must have deleted them. That’s bird photography for you.
Ron
I had always assumed that predatory avian species being at the top of the food chain in the bird world had a much higher rate of survival. I was surprised to find hanging out with my falconery enthusiast friends that Birds of Prey only have a 10% survival rate their first year of life.
Obviously it varies with the species but 10% is far lower than the norm. The norm is far closer to 60%. Th
I had always assumed that predatory avian species being at the top of the food chain in the bird world had a much higher rate of survival. I was surprised to find hanging out with my falconery enthusiast friends that Birds of Prey only have a 10% survival rate their first year of life.
Besides documenting a beautiful bird, the photo is a neat composition of greys and whites and shapes. The line of white fluffy feathers under his wing, and the white line on the edge of the right wing highlight the white lines in the rock. The white mottling on his head is similar to what is going on in the point on the right side of the rock. And the negative “M” space created by his wing and body reflects the “M” of the two facets of the rock. Actually, the whole shape of the bird is very like the shape of the rock. A beautiful melding of art and science!
Loved your analysis, Carolyn. Thanks for that.
Fabulous Falcon! Sad to think you haven’t seen one of these beauties in a couple of years, it will be a red-letter day when you do — and may it be soon! But in the meantime, feel free to treat us to an archive treasure or two. 😎
Chris, I’m afraid there’ll have to be more water along the causeway, and more ducks, for me to see them there again. Maybe I’ll get lucky somewhere else.
Majestic and marvellous. Thank you for unearthing this beauty.
“Unearthing” is pretty darn close to what I did. Thanks, EC.
Love it!
Good. Thanks, Michael.
He’s quite the dapper chapper! 😍 I hadn’t seen our Freeway Peregrine for a while, but one seems to be back hanging out on the light pole by the exit I take. Not sure if it’s the original or a new resident, but it brings me comfort in these times of rapid change.
Speaking of change, my favorite teacher supply store is now a marijuana dispensary. Sigh. 🙀🧐
“my favorite teacher supply store is now a marijuana dispensary”
The times they are a-changin’.
His eye!! Superb shot Ron 🙂
Thanks, Kathleen.
Beautiful even if he basically gave you “the bird” when taking off… 😉 Only occasional sightings here in the summer over a field.
“he basically gave you “the bird” when taking off”
Judy, it was far from the first time. Or the last…
Gorgeous shot.
Thanks, Kellie.
A beautiful shot of one of my all-time favorites. We have two locations here that we shut off from hikers etc during breeding season so we have Peregrines, but I often go many months without seeing one. I like that photogenic rock too. And yes, shame when you wait all that time for a takeoff and even though you did a good photo job, the bird turned the wrong way relative to the light. But super job nevertheless.
Thanks, Everett. If memory serves, it’s been over two years since I’ve photographed a Peregrine. I don’t see them nearly as often as I used to.
Lovely
Thanks, Jimmy.
I can understand why you-and he- like this very photogenic perch.
It’s perfectly in sync with his coloration and markings–handsome !
Glad you like it, Kris. Thanks.