Peregrine Falcons
PeterD-2009
Registered Users Posts: 618 Major grins
Thought I would update you on the Peregrine Falcons. The birds have settled now and I believe the clutch of eggs have now been laid. The sequence below was taken over more than one day but I have put them together to compile the story so far.
With the contractors out of the way, both birds perched on the pylons. Here is the male.
and the female.
The size difference is very noticeable. The female being about 1/3 bigger than the male. This is more apparent in a later image in this series.
When the female is hungry, she calls out and the male calls out in reply. He then dutifully flies off in search of birds to feed the female. This happens both on the pylon and at the nest site.
The female flies over to the nest site and waits.
The male returns with prey in his talons and calls out.
The female responds.
The male then flies to the nest site.
drops off the prey and flies back to the pylon.
I think she is saying thank you (:dunno) as the male flies off
Comments etc welcome as always.
With the contractors out of the way, both birds perched on the pylons. Here is the male.
and the female.
The size difference is very noticeable. The female being about 1/3 bigger than the male. This is more apparent in a later image in this series.
When the female is hungry, she calls out and the male calls out in reply. He then dutifully flies off in search of birds to feed the female. This happens both on the pylon and at the nest site.
The female flies over to the nest site and waits.
The male returns with prey in his talons and calls out.
The female responds.
The male then flies to the nest site.
drops off the prey and flies back to the pylon.
I think she is saying thank you (:dunno) as the male flies off
Comments etc welcome as always.
0
Comments
http://behret.smugmug.com/ NANPA member
How many photographers does it take to change a light bulb? 50. One to change the bulb, and forty-nine to say, "I could have done that better!"
Thank you Harry
These are a protected species in the UK. Care has to be taken NOT to disturb them. All photographs have been taken from public areas which the birds have accepted provides no threat.
Peter
http://www.imageinuk.com
Thank you Pam
Peter
http://www.imageinuk.com
Dennis Kaczor Photography
www.capture-the-pixel.com
Thank you both for your kind comments. In Europe they are a protected species and the good news is that they are recovering rather remaining in decline.
Peter
http://www.imageinuk.com
The Peregrine have settled down completely following the disturbance when they first arrived. They are still spending a lot of time on the pylon but the breeding activity is now in full swing.
They have a 'larder' where they place and eat their prey. This is a ledge on the cliff face.
Note the feathers surrounding the Peregrine.
I shall keep this thread going throughout the breeding season by posting updates.
Comments etc welcome as always.
Peter
http://www.imageinuk.com
At long last, the Peregrine appear to have laid their clutch of eggs. I have deduced this from their behaviour. Only one bird is visible at a time unless they become alarmed.
I have not been too well over he last week so my trips out on photography have been severely curtailed and of short duration. The conditions today were far from ideal as far a photography is concerned. I pushed to ISO up to 800 to get a faster shutter speed and increased the exposure compensation to try and avoid chromatic noise.
This sequence of shots shows one of the Peregrine (I still have difficulty telling them apart if they are isolated) returning to the nest site. Both adults take turns to incubate the eggs.
Flying in towards the cliff face at high speed. It demonstrated the confidence they have in their flying ability.
Nearing the nest site, it climbs rapidly and the feathers spoil the air flow over the wing surface. Both moves are designed to rapidly slow the bird down on approach. This is reminiscent of aircraft coming into land.
With very little forward movement, it lands on the ledge with talons outstretched, ready to grip the chalk surface.
After landing, it surveys the area. Then approaches its partner in the hollow.
Comments etc welcome as always.
Peter
http://www.imageinuk.com