Falconwatch is winding down. I've been one of several volunteers keeping an eye on the new family of peregrine falcons in downtown Hamilton (see this post) This is the building where they like to spend much of their time. It has been a favourite for several of the falcons over the years. It's hard to see, but Ossie (dad) is sitting on his favourite perch, what we call the 'squiggle', and up on the far left on the roof by the cell phone tower thingies are the two youngsters
below are some screen shots from the webcam
Lily (Mom)
Barton (Daughter)
Both of the girls, McMaster and Barton, are strong fliers and there was no crashing into glass windows, or falling off perches or dive bombing into traffic. Thank goodness, because no-one really wants to do a rescue. As soon as the chicks have mastered catching their own food, they will start flying higher and farther away to find their own home. Originally, I thought I'd volunteer for maybe one two-hour shift a week. But the first week I did three days and after that, I was hooked and covering four days for sometimes four hours at a time. Some days nothing happened as the girls rested and other days I didn't want to leave when my shift was over and hung around with the others, just in case some exciting flying or talon touching happened.
I had a chance to go up to the 24th floor of the Stelco Tower, where the falconwatch co-ordinator sits for an in-the-sky view of the birds.
After Stelco went under several years ago, the top floor where the offices were were emptied and have stayed so ever since.
The views out over the city are spectacular
(although, it is true that Hamilton is not the most beautiful of cities)
looking north (above) and south-east (below)
and east down below at Gore Park
sharing with Our World Tuesday
and image-in-ing for Wordless Wednesday
I'm going to have to find a nice tall building to try my hand at similar shots - nice job!
ReplyDeleteThanks for linking up at http://image-in-ing.blogspot.com/2015/07/get-peek-at-those-cute-little-feet.html
I'm hoping to be able to go back later this week - maybe when the glare off the dirty windows isn't so obvious!
DeleteGreat post and images. I love the falcon shots. Enjoy your day and the week ahead!
ReplyDeleteThat webcam has been wonderful for capturing the almost daily changes in the birds.
DeleteThat chick is so cute! I can see why you were hooked.
ReplyDeleteAnabel's Travel Blog
For several years I had been avidly watching the webcam, and once they start flying there is nothing to see anymore so I'm glad to have the time to see this part of their quick growing up period. Looking forward to next year's chick already!
DeleteHow fun! Bird watching is definitely addicting. Though not as exciting as peregrines, we've had two rounds of robin babies and one round of barn swallows nesting and raising their young.
ReplyDeleteIt is always exciting to be able to watch them growing up. Every day there are massive changes with these guys!
DeleteThis is just wonderful! Thank you for sharing... I'd love the chance to do something like this. They are beautiful raptors a. I've read before how they are adapting to living in mid-cities, but this is the first I've seen pictures or read an actual account from a volunteer.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you enjoyed it. They are no longer on the endangered list, but there's still a need to keep track of their numbers.
DeleteI guess the family of falcons just wanted a taste of the city life. Great shots. They were lucky to have you as a volunteer. And I love abandoned buildings. Wish I had been into photography when I used to be a city dweller and often wandered in them.
ReplyDeletePeregrines have adapted well to city life, it seems!
DeleteWill they nest again there every year?
ReplyDeleteWe are hoping this pair will return. The previous pair had been there for about 12 years and the pair before that also for several years. Apparently, peregrines are loyal to a nesting site.
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