While I realize that this is not an ideal shot. If you look carefully in that tree you'll see a fairly large dark colored bird. I was getting ready this morning and just happened to look out the window when I saw a large bird land in the tree in front of our house. I realized from watching its flight before he or she landed that it was not one of the neighborhood crows, grackels or other common dark colored birds.
After watching him for several minutes, I noticed when it turned its head almost completely around, and I could see the face, that it had the very unique bill of a falcon. I could also tell that the front of him was much lighter than the back, as I occasionally caught glimpses as the bird sat on the branch. For once, I actually ran to get my camera, even in the middle of the usual morning rush. I was glad I did. I have now realized that I got a shot and a look at a peregrine falcon. There is a pair that have routinely nested on the Evanston Public Library. Apparently, thanks to DDT, these birds were on the brink of extinction. With the ban on DDT, their population is slowly increasing. Their natural place to nest is on cliffs, so I guess that's what the Evanston Library feels like to them. I also read that they are the world's fastest animal, clocking in at a top speed of 273 mph. That's just freakin' cool and it was in the tree in front of my house. Nature gave me a little present today.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
What to My Wondering Eyes...
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7 comments:
Cool! I always get excited whenever I see a raptor in our neighborhood--usually it's red-tailed hawks.
When I was a photographer working on south Wells street there was a peregrine that nested on the building across from my studio. Always a pleasure to watch them.
Their flight is amazing. That's how the bird caught my eye. I totally feel like I got to see something really special today.
I've seen the ones at the library; I wonder if this was one of them. How lucky you are to see something so cool right outside your window.
(I think I ran over a ferret or a weasel or something the other day; that's as close to nature as I get around here.)
Very cool!
That is cool. I'm always amazed when I see nature so close by. There are rabbits that run away from me occasionally as I step outside and I love that.
Aren't we supposed to be glad it's not a raven?
We had one of those living in a tree in our yard all last summer. It was kinda cool, until we realized it was eating other birds and dropping some of the bones and remains on our driveway.
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