Notice the white splash of color on the side of its cheek. I don't think the other one has it but am not 100% certain.
I have more pictures of one of the falcons on top of the 446 Main Street building. I was at my computer this morning watching it crawl as it installed all of the numerous security updates it had to after getting my hard drive replaced. I stared at the screen with frustration and irritation and hoped it would hurry so I could start my day.Suddenly the head of maintenance came into my office with a big grin on his face and asked me if I had my camera. Falcons, I asked. Yup, he said. I grabbed my camera and ran with him to the elevator which he had stopped on the floor for us!! Woot, talk about service!
The elevator climbed to the top floor slowly as we adjusted our camera settings crossing our fingers that it was still there. The service elevator stopped to pick someone up and we rolled our eyes hoping this wouldn't delay us too much. The window washers came in with all of their equipment. When I say window washers I am talking about the ones who wash windows OUTSIDE the building. These are very brave souls to venture out onto the 23rd floor of a skyscraper with a platform that is held by wiring. I don't know how they do it.
They looked at us inquisitively as the maintenance man explained that one of the falcons was up on the top floor. They nodded their heads in a knowing manner as they are well acquainted with the peregrines. You see, last year one of the peregrines actually attempted to dive bomb them while they were washing windows on the 22nd floor. It was on the side where their nest is and I am sure they did it to defend their eggs. It must be a day for perching one of them said, we just got back from a job with a Red Tailed Hawk on it and it didn't move. My ears perked up and I asked them what building it was. The diocese they said. Hmmmmm......Must make mental note to check that out next time I am in the area!!
Anyhow, I was able to get in a few good shots of it and knew it was going to fly away real soon because the window washers were going outside on the 23rd floor which is where this one was perched. I could tell the falcon heard them because it looked intently at the area they were coming from. Must play with shutter settings I thought to myself. I set the ISO to the highest setting and crossed my fingers I could do this correctly as I have never done it before. I sat there with my camera pointed at the falcon and started clicking like mad right the minute I saw the first sign of flight
Click, click, click, click, click, went my camera. I was shocked at how fast it was clicking and impressed with my newly found feature. I tried to keep up with the bird but it was no use for an ISO newbie such as myself.
Butt Shot
Tail shot!!!! And then 30 shots of the Unum building. Grrrrrrrr.......
27 comments:
These are awesome shots, good for you! Looks like you've got a banded birdie there.
Exciting and fantastic! How nice of those guys to alert you!! I am in awe of these photos!
THAT, mt dear, is a FABULOUS series of photos!! Did you notice the green band? I would guess that if you can see the band number you can find out the identity and history of tha Peregrine.
Your photos are just amazing!
Yes I did notice the band! When I took the photos and looked at them on my viewfinder, I wasn't certain if it was in fact a band until I took them home and blew them up. I will be checking the colors of them now to see if they colored the other one different.
Lynne, I believe Mass Dept of Wildlife may have banded them. I am up to my eyeaballs in project the next couple of days at work but when I come up to breathe I may give them a call so they can tell me if the male or female has the green band.
Great photos. I find birds to be quite chalanging. You have a lot of good posts on your site.
Get those bands reported, girl. The bander will be very happy to hear about his or her bird.
Those PEFA are so white under their markings. My Lucy has a rufous wash under the markings on her chest.
The PEFA hacked out in North American cities ( to increase their numbers) were selected from both the pealei and anatum subspecies, which are non-migratory, to encourage the released birds to stay where they were. You can find a lot of variety in our peregrine's colors due to all that hybridizing.
Have I mentioned that I am uber-jealous that you get to look at wild peregrines every day?
:)
Great shots of the falcon, and a good story behind it. It's good to know how you used your camera to get the pictures. It's the same way I do it, but I didn't know if anyone else did it like that.
...what service and what great shots! They just keep getting better and better. I noticed the bands on the legs. I wonder where they are from. It will be interesting to see what you can find out.
Wow---isn't he gorgeous???? That is so neat of the maintenance man to come and tell you about the Peregrine. You got some fabulous pictures... WOW!!!!!
Hugs,
Betsy
Your photos of a Falcon are getting better.
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These are wonderful! What a terrific thing to see and get shots of. I really enjoy seeing these.
Wonderful sequence of shots!
Paul.
You got off some great shots. They are pretty birds. Helen
Talk about service is right and you got some nice shots to be sure.
Now we all wished we worked with YOU Kallen! So cool to be able to see that in a workday!
Maybe you can freelance as a window washer and get even more photos from their perspective ;) You sure are having fun experimenting with that camera!
Those PJ legs are banded! Fantastic shots, Kim! How nice that you have a group at work who support your enthusiasm like that. At my office they think I'm a bird brain :o)
Great photos Kallen and well done on the flight ones.
Fantastic photos Kim! That is so cool that the maintenance man took you to see the Falcon. Maybe a little something extra under the tree for him in December. That's one beautiful bird!
Great photos!! I love watching all birds!! Hope you see him close up again!
Howdee Kim,
I smiled a big one when the maintenance worker came to tell you about the bird...that is just too cool.
Yes, i noticed the three bands too..blew the photos up but couldnt read anything.
Let us know if you find out where the birdie was banded.
Anywho..Love the whole series..
WOW...this is a bird I m yet to photograph since they are a rarity in India. You got it beautifully. The first flight shot is my favorite.
I think you have a real ham on your hands, that's quite the 'pose'! Your photos are amazing!
How wonderful to have others letting you know about the Peregrine. Great photographs under some difficult situations.
I'm always thrilled when I see a banded bird! How I wish I could read the #'s on some of the Hawks around here. Hopefully I'll have better luck with my new camera.
Keep an eye on those falcons. They are pretty darned cool!
What an awesome opportunity and a double delight that you have a buddy looking out for you. Newbie? Great shots. And I enjoyed more than one laugh while reading your commentary! Great post.
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