Jill C. – A few stoops and a chase! – July 5, 8-11AM
When I arrived, one of the fledglings was on a building near the edge of the gorge, close to the bridge. Here’s a few shots:
One of the fledglings started to fly around which got another one into the air and initiated some ‘Talon Tag’!
It was quiet for a bit until Seneca decided to stoop a duck. It was so quick that I don’t think any of us caught it on camera, but we saw her fly down towards the water and we heard a splash. We realized that it was the duck hitting the water and Seneca flew back upwards – no duck for her! She flew back around towards the falls and actually stooped down on a gull as well! After that excitement, she landed in one of the tree branches on the side of the gorge for a little rest.
A few of us that were watching from the observation deck were lucky enough to have some great views of Quest flying right in front of us. At one point she almost landed on ‘Pride Rock’ but decided against it, kak-ing all the way – almost as if she was yelling at us!
This again initiated some more ‘Talon Tag’ by Quest and an unknown sibling.
After the ‘Talon Tag’, one of the fledglings, maybe Seneca again, decided to try for some food and chased a a pigeon in front of the falls. He/she was right on the pigeon’s tail – not wanting to give up, but did so after a long chase and landed on the guard rail of the train track.
It was time to go, but before I left, I got a shot of Diamante preening and sunning himself…
– Jill C.
July 5th, 2008 at 12:32 PM
Those are great pics, thanks, for the update, sounds like all is going well.
July 5th, 2008 at 12:45 PM
Awesome Jill!! Beautiful pics, wonderful report.
Thanks for sharing.
Little Seneca is doing really well!!
Going after a duck, she sure is confident!
July 5th, 2008 at 1:43 PM
Seneca – eye of the tiger!
July 5th, 2008 at 2:15 PM
Thanks for getting your report and pictures posted. You are SO our lifeline to the fledglings! Seneca is amazing me – last out of the box and now she’s stooping for sizable prey! You go, girl! I loved your shots in the gorge, especially Quest in front of the waterfall. Have a great rest of the holiday weekend.
July 5th, 2008 at 3:22 PM
Great report Jill, and fantastic pictures! You’ve discovered the best part of fledge-watching, the time the young falcons spend in the gorge.
July 5th, 2008 at 3:49 PM
Wonderful shots and report, Jill. You’ve got a quick trigger finger! Forgive me if this was already explained, but why is it so important they reach the Gorge. I’ve just been happy along with everyone else, but didn’t know exactly why.
Barbara
(Los Angeles)
July 5th, 2008 at 8:53 PM
Barbara, the gorge is a safe place for the fledges to perfect their flying skills. No buildings, no traffic. It also offers the best fledge photo and viewing opportunities on the planet with unimpeded vantage points all around the gorge.
Warning: gorgewatching is highly addictive. You may need a 12 step program to get you through the winter.
July 5th, 2008 at 8:56 PM
Barbara, “important” is a relative term. We watchers put a lot of emphasis on the fledglings heading out to the gorge for a variety of reasons. Primarily it’s because the gorge is a safe place for the falcons to practice flying and to learn hunting skills. Partly it’s because the gorge is as close to a wild environment as they’ll encounter in the city. And partly, it’s our self interest, since the flying is usually fast and furious in the gorge, and its done at close range.
July 6th, 2008 at 8:49 AM
“Pride Rock” ?
July 6th, 2008 at 11:22 AM
Thank you, Rosamund and Jim, for answering my question about the fledglings’ natural progression to the gorge. It’s a perfect venue.
As a result of all the in-depth reports and amazing photos from the volunteers, I’m already hooked from across the country. So yes, Rosamund, there will definitely be withdrawal symptoms when the falcons move on. It must be overwhelming to gorgewatch in person.
Barbara
(Los Angeles)
July 6th, 2008 at 7:20 PM
Alision, “Pride’s Rock” is really nothing but a bit of broken concrete just below the observation deck that is adjacent to the High Falls. Carol P christened it with that name because Pride (from Mariah’s 2004 brood for those who don’t know) liked to land there, though in actuality is seems a popular place for fledglings to take a rest year in and year out. It makes a great spot for photographs because if you’re a bit creative with your framing, it looks sort of like a natural outcrop of rock. It’s also amazingly close to the observation deck– only about 20 feet/6 meters away. Needless to say it’s a spot we watchers really enjoy. Here’s a shot of Pride from 2004. In this picture the bit of concrete referred to as “Pride’s Rock” is actually to Pride’s right, on the left side of the photo.
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