Yesterday was my lucky day. I had photographed my first Peregrine Falcon a few days earlier. These were far-off shots of a Falcon perched in a tree across the bay. Today I got two far-off Falcons. First one Falcon perched in a tree was being watched closely by three noisy Crows. Then a second Falcon flew in and landed some two meters from the first. I got some far-off shots of them having a scrimmage, with the first one being chased away by the second. All this time the Crows looked on. I then watched a Merlin take on one of the Peregrines. The Merlin had been hunting Shorebirds when confronted by one of the Peregrines. It was the Merlin that gave chase and to my surprise, it chased the Falcon right onto a low branch of a dead tree not more than 10 meters from where I was. Alas, I had too much lens, but I did manage about six full-frame shots before the Falcon took note of me and flew off again.

No sooner had the Peregrine Falcon left and along came a Belted Kingfisher. It also perched less than ten meters from where I was shooting. I manages about 20 shots of it before it too flew off again. (See http://www.pbase.com/hankvv/image/128150341 )

I also got my first Whimbrel and two Short-billed Dowitchers yesterday. All in all, a good day.

Two images:

Top Image: Full-frame image of the Peregrine Falcon perched some 10 meters from where I stood.


Close-up of the Falcon's talons.