Morning watch 2-3-15
By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK
It was a sunny start with a temperature of 2 (F) -17 (C) and a breeze making the wind chill factor -15 (F)
We had a snow storm yesterday that brought high winds and over a foot of snow and right behind it came another arctic blast of cold air, so I didn’t expect to see either one of our downtown pair out and about this morning. I chose to take the day off since I probably wouldn’t have been able to see our beloved falcons anyway. Today, as I arrived to check the OCSR elevator shaft I found Mr. Whiteness himself-Dot.ca (DC). He was on the top ibeam southeast side of OCSR having breakfast.
Beauty wasn’t in the elevator shaft and so I only stayed with DC for a few minutes before leaving him to look for the Beautyful one. I’m always a little anxious after a storm to find them and ease my mind that they are alright.
I checked around downtown to no avail and ended up back where I started-checking the elevator shaft. On the north side ledge was a small falcon with his back to me all tucked in and ready for a nap. This was DC who had finished eating while I was gone searching for his mate.
I then proceeded to check the south side ledge, stopping in the Radisson Hotel’s driveway. Beauty was there turned to the side enough that I could see her sweet face when she turned her head.
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Beauty preened for a short couple minutes then tucked her head into her wing over her shoulder-a technique I believe is to keep warm. I think I saw her eye lid closed as well.
I was content in knowing they survived the storm and were doing well up in their hideaway so I ended my watch at 8:45am. I wish I had seen Billie and 99 but they were nowhere on Seneca Towers either before or after my downtown watch. I did see one of them yesterday afternoon outside my apartment window flying south to north. I’m sure they both made it through the storm just fine. These falcons sure do make me smile! 🙂
Click on the links below to view today’s videos
February 3rd, 2015 at 10:33 AM
Thank you, MAK, for braving the roads AND the traffic to get to see our falcons today. I made it to work, but the roads in Irondequoit were still very bad. Roads in the city were slightly better but the traffic was incredible, as I’m sure you saw yourself.
February 3rd, 2015 at 11:10 AM
Yes Pat, traffic is always an issue in the mornings-especially St. Paul St. It gets so backed up, so I usually cut across the Driving Park bridge to Lake Ave. where there are 2 lanes in each direction to keep it moving a bit better. I didn’t have to deal with any traffic when I lived in my house on the west side to go downtown. The drivers on the east side of the river also seem to be more obnoxious as well! 🙂
February 3rd, 2015 at 11:36 AM
Present company excluded, I presume. 😉
February 3rd, 2015 at 5:38 PM
Gee, I don’t know Pat, I haven’t seen you drive… 😉
February 3rd, 2015 at 8:50 PM
Hah-hah!