Thursday Afternoon Falcon Watch – 3/19/15
By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.
2:30 to 5:00 pm
After a hard day’s work, it was wonderful to get out for a little falcon watching. The sun was shining and the sky was blue, with a chill in the air. This was the last day of Winter. Woohoo! Spring will be here tomorrow!
A quick check at KPW before I headed downtown. No falcons seen there. But, I am seeing a lot more white wash below the lower catwalk on the east stack. I have to wonder if a falcon is roosting there overnight. It’s too dark in the morning for me to get a good look before I head into work. I’ll definitely keep checking that area.
When I arrived downtown, I parked on the Broad St Bridge. This was my view.
There was a falcon on the nest box platform when I first arrived, but it was gone before I could get a picture. Cam Watcher Donna texted that Dot.ca had been in the nest box and Beauty on the platform when I first arrived.
Dot.ca was now on the OCSR Bldg, south side top Ibeam. I could not find Beauty at first.
It would be Dot.ca who showed me where Beauty was. He took off and flew over the Mercury statue.
He circled back and came in for a landing on Mercury’s foot. Wait a minute! Something was already on Mercury’s foot. It was Beauty! They copulated….
and Dot.ca took off, again landing on the top Ibeam of the OCSR.
Beauty remained on Mercury’s foot.
Beauty took off and flew up to the nest box, landing on the corner of the platform.
After awhile, I lost sight of her and asked (through a tweet) if Beauty might be in the nest box. Three cam watchers answered! Thanks Lisa, Donna and Pat! I so appreciate the help of my fellow watchers when I’m downtown watching. 🙂
Beauty flew out of the nest box and landed on the other side of the base of the Mercury statue, where I couldn’t see her from the Broad St Bridge. I moved my car up to “falcon watch central” for a better view of Beauty. From my position on Broad St, just above Aqueduct St., I had a nice view of Beauty on Mercury and Dot.ca on the top IBeam of OCSR. This was my view.
I spotted fellow falcon watcher Pat and we chatted for a few moments.
Dot.ca on OCSR.
Beauty on the base of Mercury.
This is where I left Beauty and Dot.ca when I ended my watch a little after 5:00 pm. Another peaceful and quiet watch!
March 19th, 2015 at 11:22 PM
Nice pics of Beauty on the base of Mercury. You and MAK have been lucky to get some great lighting for your falcon shots. Plus you each get to witness copulation. I’m envious!
March 20th, 2015 at 7:57 AM
Awesome times! Spring is in the air! Thanks for the comment Joyce. You’ll be home before you know it 🙂
March 20th, 2015 at 8:19 AM
Beautiful shots of a gorgeous late afternoon/evening, Carol. Sometimes I have to giggle at what is going on about three floors directly above my new office. I think I can hear them too. I know I hear the crows and the gulls, and that’s been a new experience for me.
March 20th, 2015 at 8:56 AM
Thanks Pat! It was a very beautiful (cold) afternoon. Nice seeing you!
March 20th, 2015 at 8:59 AM
Oh, and very envious of your new office! During the M&K days, I worked in the Kodak building behind the tower. I loved being able to look out my windows to see them. 🙂