Sacramento National Wildlife Refuge Part2

DsrtVW

I have had the privilege of capturing this bird before last January he hung out for six minutes. This day he was there for 6 hours perched on the dead tree. I never thought I would get tired of taking shots of a Peregrine Falcon. He had just made a kill before he showed up. Because he was cleaning his bill and feet. He mostly slept I thought of scaring him off a few times because he was keeping the waterfowl away from the logs where they like to loaf. But I decided to see how long he would stay. Ducks are plentiful but raptors are a bit harder to get close to. He would look at me but did not seem to care. Even when I stepped out of the blind he did not fly off until he saw my full body I stood behind the blind with just my head showing just like in the blind and he remained. After he flew off and I packed up he came flying by with what looked like a coot in his talons and 2 seagulls chasing him. Every time they got close to him he would barrel roll out and evade them. I had the camera packed up for the walk back through the pond would have like to have captured that moment.

1.Morning Fill Flash


2. Mid Morning Stretch



3.Catching some rays


4. Falcon at 400mm


5.Falcon at 11mm

PGM

Chris, you had an amazing day! I love #3. Best, Pam

DsrtVW

Thanks Pam it was a great day. Nice front row seat. There is also a video of the falcon after he first landed. I took it while I was looking for my flash. I did not post it here because of size. But you can see the feathers on his beak he is trying to clean off.
http://kadvantage.smugmug.com/Waterfowl/Sacramento-Blind-1-12-2010/15188260_wEdXg