Morning watch 10-13-14
By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK
It was 15 degrees warmer this morning from yesterday at 49 (F) 9 (C) with overcast conditions
Click on the pics to see the full version
My watch started at Seneca Towers as I spotted both Billie and 99 on the west side roof railing about 5-10 feet apart from each other.
They stayed quiet like this for about 15 minutes then one of them vocalized and 99 stretched out his wings and they both did a little scratching.
At 7:43am 99 took flight heading south toward the river gorge below- Buffalo Billie watched him as he passed by in front of her. She flew off a half minute later to the west and out of view.
When they didn’t return right away I left for downtown. As I was leaving, cam watcher and good friend Donna texted me saying she thought Beauty and Dot.Ca (DC) had been on Bausch & Lomb. I checked all the usual spots between Kodak Office and the east side but didn’t find them. Another trip around brought me to Bragdon Place next to the Radisson Hotel to check the OCSR elevator shaft-nobody up there but I did spot Beauty across the river on the northeast cube of the Frontier Communications tower (FCT) at 8:24am.
I drove over to Fitzhugh St. for a closer check to see if DC was there as well-if he was I couldn’t find him. I parked next to the Sister Cities garage for the best view of the Beautyful one. She was napping on and off between looking around the area.
I left her to look for DC but again I had no luck locating him. I stopped on the Broad St. Bridge on my second pass thru to check the river-a duck taking a bath caught my eye.His mate was preening and the usual crowd was hanging out on the rocks.
I returned to Beauty on FCT, parking in the empty City Hall parking lot due to the Columbus Day holiday. Once again I gave the tower a good going over but still could not see DC, as Beauty started to preen.
I left her around 9:30am to give it one more shot at finding DC but it wasn’t to be this morning. I left downtown for home and as I made my way down Seth Green Dr. I had a welcoming committee on the side of the road in the form of a ground hog and squirrel. They were eating nuts or acorns and looking very cute together.
<Click it  
I ended my watch at 10:20am after checking Seneca Towers for Billie and 99-they were not home. Before going to my apartment I took pics of the foliage in the river gorge from the west and east side balconies on my floor. I’ll post my favorite shot from each side so you get an idea of how beautiful the view is here for Billie, 99 and myself.
How can I not smile right!? 🙂
Click on the links below to see todays videos
http://youtu.be/Mx3GCNWdQQg
October 13th, 2014 at 3:47 PM
Really turned out to be a nice day! Colors are getting quite pretty by the river!
October 13th, 2014 at 4:31 PM
Yes, they are Patricia and they’ll be gone before we know it! 🙂
October 13th, 2014 at 6:18 PM
I love nature,the colors are so grand,what a great view you have every day.Have enjoyed the tours each day.The birds,the fish and the trees.Thanks again,You have a great eye and instinct in tracking the falcons.You are a Pro.Diane
October 13th, 2014 at 7:05 PM
Thank you Diane-I love nature too and I especially love sharing it with others. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. 🙂
October 14th, 2014 at 11:25 AM
Being stuck at home for the time being, I am more than grateful for the trips I take with you every day to see our wonderful falcons on their daily rounds (or is it your rounds to view their rites and foibles!?) Even better today is the “View” of the changing foliage. Getting magnificent to say the least.. That squirrel’s very bushy tail speaks loudly about the coming winter weather! Br-r-r-r! Thanks as always MAK.
October 14th, 2014 at 12:15 PM
June, wait til you see todays video of Billie and 99 flying together! Still not getting around after knee surgery? You’ll get there-it takes time. Make sure to do your exercises and you’ll do fine. Thanks for your most appreciated comment!! 🙂
October 14th, 2014 at 1:55 PM
MAK, your patience is truly exemplary. I would never be able to wait for the falcons to do something. Also, I marvel at your ability to identify each falcon that you see. And your shots of the foliage make me wish I were in northern climes again. Mary in Charlotte (NC)
October 14th, 2014 at 4:10 PM
Mary, it surely does take a lot of patience to be a falcon watcher, but it’s well worth it! I get stumped more than you think as to who is who-luckily, I can get out every day which helps to recognize our falcons fairly easily. 🙂