We were doing a little pre-Christmas Bird Count scouting today. Very quiet until we came across this Peregrine Falcon.
Observers: Stacy Holt, Joe Moore, Linda Manning
Optics: Vortex Spotting Scope, and three binoculars
Camera: Canon Eos 10.1 MP with Tamron 28-300mm telephoto lens.
We first observed the bird in flight and then perched on a dead branch. This was off the airport road and between the golf course and airport. Observed bird for about 1/2 hour from 200 feet.
We next saw the bird east of the golf course in the date grove. It flew in, zeroed in on a flock of Coots, swooped down and hit two Coots. Came back around and hit one of them a second time, at which time it landed and started plucking. The other Coot was stunned, possibly injured and stayed in place for about 1/2 hour. The remaining flock grouped up together and moved off, at which time a Coyote came in and caught a Coot. All while the golfers were playing through and course maintenance was going on. We watched the Peregrine for about 45 minutes while it plucked and ate. It eventually flew up into a palm tree and the stunned Coot gathered it's wits and wandered (staggered) off. The Peregrine was startled out of the tree by a person walking her dog and was last seen east of the Furnace Creek Ranch.
The image is available in the gallery.
Observers: Stacy Holt, Joe Moore, Linda Manning
Optics: Vortex Spotting Scope, and three binoculars
Camera: Canon Eos 10.1 MP with Tamron 28-300mm telephoto lens.
We first observed the bird in flight and then perched on a dead branch. This was off the airport road and between the golf course and airport. Observed bird for about 1/2 hour from 200 feet.
We next saw the bird east of the golf course in the date grove. It flew in, zeroed in on a flock of Coots, swooped down and hit two Coots. Came back around and hit one of them a second time, at which time it landed and started plucking. The other Coot was stunned, possibly injured and stayed in place for about 1/2 hour. The remaining flock grouped up together and moved off, at which time a Coyote came in and caught a Coot. All while the golfers were playing through and course maintenance was going on. We watched the Peregrine for about 45 minutes while it plucked and ate. It eventually flew up into a palm tree and the stunned Coot gathered it's wits and wandered (staggered) off. The Peregrine was startled out of the tree by a person walking her dog and was last seen east of the Furnace Creek Ranch.
The image is available in the gallery.
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