Tag Archives: Peregrine Falcon

Jon Shiu noticed this young Peregrine Falcon hunting to our north. The peregrine nabbed a Gull for its dinner as many people observed the action.

Here’s what National Geographic says about these birds: “These falcons are formidable hunters that prey on other birds (and bats) in mid-flight. Peregrines hunt from above and, after sighting their prey, drop into a steep, swift dive that can top 200 miles an hour.”

Rick and I, along with Mel Smith, once watched a Peregrine dive at unbelievable speed after a Common Murre at the mouth of the Gualala River.

Thanks to Jon for allowing me to share his photos with you here.

Another beautiful sunny day on the beautiful Mendonoma Coast.

 

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First, I had to switch severs and the new one is follow.it. You do have to click on their link to activate  your subscription. It is perfectly safe, but I apologize for the inconvenience.

As promised, here are more looks at the juvenile Bald Eagles that Gaily Jackson photographed on July 11 at Gualala Point Regional Park. A Peregrine Falcon began harassing the two young eagles and one of the eagles took flight.

The other had its meal in its talon and didn't want to let go.

The young bird cries out, "Stay away, you mean falcon!"

But the eagle drops his meal. "Look what  you made me do, mean falcon!"

"Oh noooo!"

Here's a look at the Peregrine Falcon.

And here the Peregrine is dive bombing the mother Bald Eagle, which is probably not a good idea on the falcon's part.

wow, there was lots of action that day when Gaily Jackson had her camera so she could show us this! Thanks to Gaily for allowing me to share her photos with you here. To see much more of Gaily's photography, here is the link to her website: http://gailyimages.com/

Fog over the ocean, sunny here in Anchor Bay, lots of chickadees and pygmy nuthatches singing in the huckleberry bushes and in the trees.

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Richard Zweig noticed this young Peregrine Falcon, apparently looking directly at him!

It almost looks like the young falcon posed for Richard. Peregrine Falcons are powerful birds and, boy, can they fly fast. They prey on medium-sized birds. Peregrines have a piercing call which you can hear at this link at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Peregrine_Falcon/sounds

Thanks to Richard for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

oh, such a beautiful autumn day we are having, with crystal clear skies and a gentle breeze. The Pacific Ocean was crashing this morning!

This year there are two nests in southern Mendocino county that I know of. Each has three white puffballs, chicks, in the nests. Michael Beattie watches one of the nests with his long lens. Here the mother has fed her chicks and is flying away to hunt for her family.

It will be fun to watch the chicks mature. That opening in the rocks looks to be a safe place for the Peregrines.

Fun Fact: A Peregrine can reach speeds of up to 200 mph when diving down on its prey, which are medium-sized birds. To hear the "kak, kak, kak" call of a Peregrine, here is a link to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Peregrine_Falcon/sounds

Thanks to Michael for allowing me to share his photo with you here.

The heavy, wet fog of this morning has lifted, bringing us sunshine this afternoon.

Michael Beattie is monitoring several sites where Peregrine Falcons have nested the past few years on the Mendocino coast. He caught this Peregrine preening recently.

And then shaking his/her leg.

Here's a photo Michael took last year of  Peregrine Falcon in flight, and looking at Michael!

We are happy Peregrines have returned to the Mendonoma Coast, along with Bald Eagles.

Thanks to Michael for allowing me to share his photos with you here.