Falcon watch 8-22-12
By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK
Well I saw my first start to finish stoop this morning. I’ve seen many stoops but the ending where they actually get the prey has always eluded me. Wowee wow wow it’s a beautiful thing!
When I arrived on the Broad St. bridge(BSB) Dan and Larry were there and Orion was on the south side of the Times Square building(TSB) and he was off almost as soon as I looked. Beauty and Orion both flew to the jail tower and then Beauty went into a stoop across to the river where she scared up some pigeons near the Freddy-Sue bridge. She and Orion chased them, broke it off and went after another flock of pigeons where Beauty grabbed one and flew to the roof top of the Cornhill landing building. It’s usually covered with pigeons but they were more than happy to disperse when she landed.
After she caught her breath she took off with her catch and landed on the Rundell library on the river side and Orion landed down at the northeast corner. She started plucking feathers and then a crow showed up making her stop and pay attention to it.
Fire and rescue trucks showed up on the Court St. bridge and the Freddy-Sue bridge and we feared someone had jumped in the river. They stayed about 10 minutes and left so we figured it was a false alarm.After cleaning and eating a little to lighten the load she took off down river with Orion on her tail. A food exchange was attempted a couple times between the Radisson and OCSR before they both flew out of sight behind OCSR. Dan and Larry left and I made my way over to City Hall where I found Beauty and Orion on the north beam of the lower red section. He was patiently watching her eat and pluck when he finally could take it no more and a food fight ensued.
Beauty eventually gave up and let Orion have it as she retreated to the east side of the same beam. Beauty managed to get the last bit of prey from Orion and finished it off. They both had full crops and settled down for nap.
They moved around some more within the tower and when I ended my watch I could see Beauty on the west side of the lower red section. I had lost track of Orion and I never did see Dot.Ca today. As I left the city I couldn’t help but smile for all that I had seen on this mornings watch! 🙂
Click the links below for more pics and videos including the food tug of war between Beauty and Orion
http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaN3DFm0ZMWrGXA
August 22nd, 2012 at 9:11 PM
Lots of falcon activity this morning! 🙂
August 22nd, 2012 at 10:28 PM
I loved those videos!!! 🙂
August 23rd, 2012 at 11:18 AM
MAK, It was great seeing your close-up videos of B & O on the tower. Fun hearing O’s familiar “singing” to B for his meal! Zooming in and out gives a real perspective. Can you tell me what type of camera and lens you use? Thanks!
August 23rd, 2012 at 5:40 PM
I have a Canon PowerShot 35mm zoom Unfortunately I’m in the hospital visiting my uncle right now so I can’t give you any more details. And yes I zoom in and out to give the peeps perspective to show exactly where the birds are located on things. 🙂
August 25th, 2012 at 9:37 PM
What action in that second video!
I can admit to being quite envious of your ability to view these falcons, they are just so amazing and beautiful and fascinating to watch. I love how hyper aware Orion is in every video; his head is constantly moving and taking the world around him in.
Thanks for the pictures and videos.
August 27th, 2012 at 5:57 AM
You’re so very welcome Melissa! Orion is very alert when perched. 🙂