Winter Falcon Watch – More on the Winter Visiting Pair – Extreme Ice Bathing
When I arrived downtown on Friday (1/23/09) at 12:30 am, I was greeted by fellow Watchers Dan and Lisa McK. They excitedly told me that the pair had bathed in the icy water of the Genesee River just in front of the High Falls.
Dan told me the female had flown down first and remained in the water for close to 45 minutes. The male joined her and after his bath, flew up to the corner of Jimmy Macs, at the west end of the pedestrian bridge. The female flew up to the catwalk on the High Falls Stack and then to the Kodak Tower just as I was arriving.
I was sorry to hear that the I had missed this icy bathing episode. But, I did get down to Jimmy Macs to visit with the male. He was quite low and didn’t mind that we were taking pictures of his post bathing activity. Here is a KGallery Album with pictures from that day.
http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=171aim5l.6ato7761&x=0&y=463mk3&localeid=en_US
or tinyurl:
Enjoy!
Carol P.
January 25th, 2009 at 8:04 AM
Great story Carol P. So which was our juvenile who we first saw bathing in the river a year or so ago?
January 25th, 2009 at 5:49 PM
Alison – That would be Grace from 2007. She was our darkest girl that year.
Oh, and I forgot to say that it was 40 degrees on Friday. Now it’s back in the teens. Both visitors were tandem hunting off of the Kodak Tower this afternoon.
– Carol P.
January 26th, 2009 at 7:44 AM
What are the chances that this behavior, which in 2007 was heretofore unrecorded peregrine behavior, as I recall, is a clue to the identity of our mystery girl? Grace would be old enough to have adult plumage.
January 26th, 2009 at 8:16 AM
Great pictures, Carol – thanks! Any ID yet on the female?
January 26th, 2009 at 10:26 AM
Thanks Carol, great shots
January 26th, 2009 at 6:51 PM
Alison – We’ve been talking about that here in Rochester. Some think she’s too dark to be one of M&K’s. I personally think it could be possible. She would definitely have her adult plumage (maybe with a little brown left over like Rhea Mae in 2008). Wouldn’t it be something if it was Grace?
Maureen – We’re working very hard to try to ID the female.
Kathy V – You’re welcome!
Carol P.
January 31st, 2009 at 12:30 PM
I was within 15 feet of her – she’s not too dark to be Mariah’s.
January 31st, 2009 at 12:31 PM
Carol – She makes a pit stop during the afternoons at the tower at the old city hall. Straight down is the back entrance hallway to the County Office Bldg. She’ll sit in the tower and screech a bit and then take off towards the Powers Building.
February 3rd, 2009 at 9:10 AM
On the Cleveland Board, I read that the watchers think Mariah is back.
February 3rd, 2009 at 10:34 PM
You’re right Alison. We’re fairly certain that Mariah has returned to reclaim her territory. Yay! – Carol P.
February 4th, 2009 at 9:10 AM
Wow…Carol, if thats true..horrayyyyyyyyy…hope M is back.
February 4th, 2009 at 11:55 AM
I’m pretty sure it’s true Kathy. I watched her eating on Midtown Plaza yesterday and chasing off a Red-tail Hawk when it tried to share her lunch, loudly kakking her disapproval. Wasn’t happening. LOL That’s our girl! 😉 – Carol P.
February 5th, 2009 at 1:37 PM
Good to hear Carol, can’t wait till spring