The Falcons were back at noon today in downtown Worcester. I spent a half hour watching and photographing them and it was the perfect way to spend my break. I have been doing a lot of research on Peregrine Falcons and the more I learn of them, the more privileged I feel to see them with my own two eyes.
While I was photographing these majestic birds, I couldn't help feel a sense of sadness. Here were the iconic birds as Mike so perfectly describes them, and no one in the entire downtown area noticed them besides me. Horns were honking, people were shouting, and the normal bustle associated with city life surrounded me. Are we as human kind so busy with blackberries, meetings and schedules to not notice birds as incredible as these? I am probably over analyzing here, but I have noticed this a lot more lately and it makes me even more appreciative to have found this hobby. I think if more people embraced nature and wild life, we would be a much happier society.
The falcon above was in this same exact spot for an hour and a half. I took a quick glance at the building from my office when I went to get something from the printer and he was still there. I was a little concerned and decided to check up on him in another half hour. He was still in that spot so I called Tufts Wildlife Clinic to see if this is normal. The wildlife specialist said that falcons often will perch for long periods of time when they are eating or trying to establish their territory.
That's all for now. Peace and Happy Birding!
20 comments:
I don't know very much about Peregrine Falcons, so I'm eager to learn from your research. The photo where he is fanning out his (I assume this is the male, don't know) is cool!! As for the regular humans ignoring the birds...it's sad, but maybe your blogging and excitement will inspire others at the office (and around you) to become more interested in the natural world!
It's sad that I used to be one of those 'busy' people who never took time to smell the roses (or see the falcons)... How sad is that!!! I'm catching up on the birds (and flowers) in my old age. You have gotten a head start, Kallen.. I'm proud of you.
Great pictures.
Hugs,
Betsy
I hope that they do well. They may decide to nest there...that would be cool!
Interesting bird. Found this tidbit on Wiki...
The Peregrine Falcon is often stated to be the fastest animal on the planet in its hunting dive, the stoop, which involves soaring to a great height and then diving steeply at speeds commonly said to be over 322 km/h (200 mph), and hitting one wing of its prey so as not to harm itself on impact.[4] A study testing the flight physics of an 'ideal falcon' found a theoretical speed limit at 400 km/h (250 mph) for low altitude flight and 625 km/h (390 mph) for high altitude flight.[43] In 2005, Ken Franklin recorded a falcon stooping at a top speed of 242 mph (389 km/h).[44]
Now that's a fast bird!
Craig
Wonderful photos of falcons on letters in a downtown area. Just goes to show that one can find and enjoy nature just about anywhere!
Wow, love that spread tail/wing shot!!!
I'll be interested to see if your falcon builds a nest in those 'letters'! I think you are right about embracing nature - if people slow down and see all the beauty and miracles there truly is - it brightens the soul.
Kelly, I am hoping I can keep track of their progress this summer. I normally don't take lunch breaks but am going to start allocating a 1/2 hour a day when I can to seeing if I can observe. I hope I can excite others! A lot of people downtown are very familiar w/ these falcons and will probably be more interested as the months go on.
Betsy, I am so happy you found birds and nature too. I guess 40 was my time because I now have the attention span to enjoy it. I do love seeing younger people getting into nature because they are so young and can see so much in their many years ahead of them.
Steve, I am guessing they will nest there. They nested in an area a block or so away last year. A co worker told me she saw one of them there two days ago, but they are spending more time at the Flagship Building, so I am guessing they want that this year.
Craig, aren't they awesome!!! The speed itself is incredible!!
Diane, that is the one thing I have learned this week. One does not have to go out into the deep birds to appreciate nature, all they have to do is open there eyes, wherever they are and they will see it.
Deborah, I was so stoked when I saw that picture in my view finder. I prayed that it looked the way it did on the screen. It just stinks that I don't have a tripod or scope because than I would get awesome pictures all the time! One of these days. ;o)
Shelley, I don't think they will nest on the letters, but below them. This is according to the blog Looking Out From Central Massachusetts and she knows her stuff and has sources (that's why I love her blog because she knows the best places to go to bird HA). The balcony would be safer anyhow. Let me tell you if they had the babies on the letters, I would be a nervous wreck trying to check on them all the time. ;o)
I will look out for them tomorrow and keep a little spreadsheet and start giving a weekly review going forward. A new thing for me to track on a spreadsheet. It can't get much better than that!! ;o)
Those falcons are great! Thanks for finding them and showing them.
Holy cow Kallen... that first "in flight" photo is so amazing girl! I've never seen a Peregrine, and am so looking forward to your adventures. :c)
These are wonderful! I love that first shot! I do think the majority of people pay no attention to any birds...especially in a city. They probably assume everything there is a pigeon. And yes, the blackberries and cell phones and traffic are much more absorbing to them. It might actually be good for the birds that they aren't getting a lot of notice. Some idiot would do something to hurt them or chase them away. They are beautiful and how fortunate you are to see them!
Kallen;
Great photos of the Falcon from the great city of Woostah!
Christmas of 2007, we found a Peregrine Falcon siting on the top of a cement truck in Provincetown, MA.
They are really neat raptors. I'm glad that you get to watch them every day AND share the pictures with us. (I would love to have an office with windows, but I know I wouldn't get much work done.)
They are really neat raptors. I'm glad that you get to watch them every day AND share the pictures with us. (I would love to have an office with windows, but I know I wouldn't get much work done.)
There was just an article in the paper about the come back of the falcons since the days of DDT. There are few live web cams you can watch and actually many bird web cams...
How exciting! I'll be back to check for updates.
Great sighting and super post Kallen. Peregrines are possibly the most amazing birds on the planet.
Here is a link to the 3 minute video of the flight speed study of "Frightful" done by Ken Franklin from National Geographic.
It is a very informative and eye opening look at the Peregrine Falcon up close and personal.
There are also apparently many Peregrines around San Francisco that my friend Glen Nevill photographs here if you want to check them out.
Keep your eye on that falcon and if a pair mates and builds a nest there, we want to see some Peregrine baby photos from you!
Oh, I forgot to mention, that capture of the falcon with the tail spread is TO DIE FOR!!! I am soooooo jealous.
How exciting! So many people miss things like this. See what you miss when you don't look up. Great shots.
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