By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

4:00 -5:00 pm.

I arrived downtown a little before 4:00 pm and found Dot.ca on the Frontier Communication Tower.  By the time I drove around to the south side Dot.ca had moved to the southwest box, below the platform.

*

*

*

*

*

Dot.ca took off and headed northwest.  I followed and found him on the Kodak Tower, on the northeast corner of the launch pad.

*

*

*

*

*

At 4:25 pm, with much ee-chupping vocalization, Beauty arrived and landed near Dot.ca on the east side of the launch pad.

*

*

*

*

*

Both took off at 4:40 pm and flew around the tower for a few moments before landing, Beauty on the northeast corner of the playpen and Dot.ca just above her on the netting that still covers the old Mariah and Kaver nest site.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

It was near 80 degrees, with dark clouds moving in.  The winds were getting stronger, so I decided to end my watch, leaving Beauty and Dot.ca on the Kodak Tower.  All was peaceful and quiet.

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

A very nice morning with breezy conditions, blue skies and sunshine-starting temperature was 62 (F) 17 (C)

Click on my pics to see the full version

Well, what a show I got this morning from our Seneca Towers pair of Peregrine Falcons. When I got out to my spot on Seth Green Dr. Billie was on the northwest corner railing and 99 was on the west side railing. They stayed like this for half hour or so.

<Billie

<99

At 7:50am Billie stretched her big beautiful wings and flew off heading south leaving my field of vision behind the trees.

99 followed right behind her-he wasn’t going to let his girl out of his sight.

I was just about to leave when they came screaming in together and the flight show was on as they rode the wind currents above the south end of the building. They would go in and out of view as I taped them-most of the time they were together playing, dipping, swooping, hovering near the antennas. It was a beautiful thing!

When they were done, Billie landed on top of the shorter antenna and 99 came to rest directly below her on the southwest corner of the roof.

I stayed a bit longer before heading downtown to look for Beauty and Dot.Ca (DC). I made a trip around, checking the usual places and ended up down on State St. after spotting DC on the northeast corner of the Kodak Office (KO) launchpad from the Broad St. bridge. You really couldn’t miss his whiteness as I pulled over to watch him at 8:25am.

I left DC after 20 minutes or so to look for the Beautyful one but I had no luck in that category today. I’m thinking she was off enjoying the warm southern breeze. I made my way back to KO but DC had left while I was gone so I did another couple trips around downtown. I checked the Frontier Communications tower really good more than once in case Beauty was there but no such luck. I left for home passing KO on the way and noticed DC back on the northeast corner of the launchpad.

I thought I might go out on the Pont de Rennes pedestrian bridge to see if Beauty was tucked in near the rockets but there was nowhere to park so I took a pic of a lovely fall planter in Brown’s Race and one of the KO tower with the moon above it before leaving.

On my way home I pass Hawkeye and today there was nothing there to see, but as I was driving down Seth Green Dr. a couple minutes later I spotted a falcon hovering above the south end of Seneca Towers. When I got to my parking lot it was gone, so I ended my watch at 10am with a great big smile after a fun morning falcon watch! 🙂

Click on the links below to view todays videos-the 3rd one down is of Buffalo Billie and 99 flying together
http://youtu.be/RV1MxY48MXk

http://youtu.be/6VronYH0sDk

http://youtu.be/QmlAAQ2Ct68

http://youtu.be/za-IcO1_uKc

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

http://youtu.be/D0JnXcfingg

http://youtu.be/ran82aHlkKg

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P. (9:45 am – Noon)

Yes!  Finally a morning falcon watch!  I do miss them.

My first falcon sighting was a double.  As I turned the corner and parked in front of Frontier Stadium, I could see both Beauty and Dot.ca.  Beauty was on the northeast box on the Frontier Communication Tower (FCT), just below the platform.  Dot.ca was on the northeast wing ledge on the Times Square Bldg (TSB).

*

*

*

*

*

Beauty on the Frontier Communication Tower.

*

*

*

*

*

Dot.ca on northeast wing ledge of Times Square Bldg.

*

*

*

*

*

While I was parked on the Broad St Bridge getting a closer look at Dot.ca on the TSB and checking out the river, DC took off heading north.

The moon was still high in the sky in between the Times Square Bldg and the statue of Mercury.

*

*

*

*

*

After searching all over for Dot.ca and not finding him, I headed back over to the Frontier Communication Tower.  Beauty was still where I had left her and guess what?  Dot.ca was there too, just below her!  lol

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

At 11:15 pm, I left both Beauty and Dot.ca on the Frontier Communication Tower.  All was quiet and peaceful, just how I like it!

On my way home, I checked out Hawkeye, Seneca Towers and the Kodak Park Research Labs and saw no falcons there.  I stopped at Russell Station and found the juvie Peregrine Falcon there.  Based on size, I do believe that this is a female.

*

*

*

*

*

Continuing on my way home, I had one more exciting sighting on Long Pond Rd near the lake (Ontario).  A gorgeous juvenile Bald Eagle was soaring overhead.  I quickly pulled over and got one picture before it headed west.  Just beautiful!

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was a cold start this morning with a temperature of 34 (F) 1 (C) at 7am with blue skies and sunshine

Click on the pics to see the full version

My watch started at Seneca Towers with both Billie and 99. One of them was on the west side railing and the other on the northwest corner.

<Click it 

They flew off soon after and gave me a show as they circled around the building several times. I think they were playing as they would take turns attempting to land on different spots on the roof structures and at the last second pull up and continue flying. I took no flight shots as I was enjoying just watching their antics-these 2 certainly like to stick together, whether in the air or perched.  I did catch one of them approaching and landing on a pipe near the northwest corner and the other PEFA came in after coming to rest on the railing.

At around 7:45am both Billie and 99 flew to the south as you’ll see in one of my videos and didn’t return. So off I went to find our downtown pair. From Woodbury Blvd. I saw who I thought was Beauty on the same southwest corner of Bausch & Lomb (B&L) as yesterday. I drove over to Court St. across from the parking garage where I was closer to find that it was Dot.Ca (DC) and Beauty was behind him on the roof of the southwest elevator with food.

I knew it was just a matter of time before DC moved in on that food and sure enough 5 minutes later he flew over, landing on the corner. DC turned around, snuck in under Beauty and grabbed a chunk of the tasty treat. They were both eating and as I tweeted what was going on they left.

I headed over to the Broad St. Bridge and found Beauty on the base of Mercury with food. I’m not sure if she took the food she had from B&L since I didn’t see her leave B&L. Less than 5 minutes later DC showed up on the Mercury money bag above her. Larry and Harold stopped by for a few minutes around this time. He kept looking down at her-she must have sensed his eyes on her for when she finished eating her fill she jumped up to the green part of the base and cached the rest.

At 8:18am the Beautyful one flew off after giving me a look as if to say keep an eye on my food MAK.

DC immediately looked down at the goods, thought about it a couple minutes then hopped off the money bag and flew down to the base. He stopped and had a look around before turning his attention to the cached food.

After looking in all directions DC started eating and the rest as they say, is history. Larry had to leave and so did I-DC was all bug eyed as I departed.

Of course I ended my watch at 8:30am smiling-how could I not smile after watching DC and his comical ways! 🙂

Click on the links below to see todays videos
http://youtu.be/0W71H7cb-O8

http://youtu.be/Ta3N1HNojeQ

http://youtu.be/GelY85vx8Ow

http://youtu.be/uGkt_ovfnIo

http://youtu.be/1Ydd1EFAhqk

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was dark and overcast with a temperature of 43 (F) 6 (C) to start my watch

Click on the pics to see full version

I found Beauty around 7:30am on the Bausch & Lomb  (B&L) building as I was checking from Woodbury Blvd. on the east side. She was plucking feathers and I was too far away, so I drove over to St. Mary’s Place and pulled over next to Washington Square Park. That was closer but there was a tree branch between me and the Beautyful one so then I went around the corner to Court St. where I found just the right spot.

Beauty finished eating after 15 minutes or so then she did a lot of feaking. After she was done cleaning herself up she perched for a few minutes before flying off to the west. The pigeons lined up on the Court St. garage below her were relieved I’m sure.

<Click it

I caught up with Beauty as she had flown to the Times Square building (TSB) under the southeast wing-I parked by the Blue Cross Arena on Exchange Blvd. just before 8am to observe. She didn’t stay long as she flew off to the northeast at 8:05am

Once again, from Woodbury St. I spotted Beauty on B&L -this time she wasn’t alone. Dot.Ca (DC) was on the other end of B&L southeast corner with his back to me. I went back over to Court St. where I had been earlier. Beauty was on the southwest elevator and hopped to the back of it like she had food to cache. She came back into view and stayed perched for a few minutes before leaving while I watched DC.

After she left so did I so I could find a place to see the front of DC. I pulled over on Broad St. next to Midtown and what a view I had of his huge, bulging crop!

There were some mum planters around Xerox which I couldn’t help but notice. I was really surprised DC didn’t tip over with all that weight in front. lol

There was work being done on Midtown and it was quite loud at times, well one big bang and DC was off at 8:57am. He flew northwest and I headed straight ahead to the Broad St. bridge.

<Click

I discovered DC under the northeast wing of TSB. I went down in the hole and parked behind He’s Chinese.DC was looking straight toward the Frontier Communications Tower (FCT). I followed his lead and drove over there after a few minutes shared with him.

I stopped on Fitzhugh St. and barely spotted Beauty on the southeast cube with her back to me. This wouldn’t do, so I checked from every angle and finally settled on the City Hall parking lot right next to the building as the best look at her.

I left after a couple minutes believing that she and DC would rest and digest. As I made my way down Seth Green Drive I spotted a falcon flying around the south end of the building, it flew northeast and disappeared. I checked all sides of  Seneca Towers but there were no falcons to be seen, so I ended my watch at 10:05am with a smile knowing our downtown Rochester Peregrine falcon pair had eaten well on this Saturday morning! 🙂

Click on the links below to view many videos including a bonus video of the foliage view I have from the 16th floor of Seneca Towers where I live
http://youtu.be/0MNQpWWuZL8

http://youtu.be/E6aKBebgV3M

http://youtu.be/yxdLt0Mbd2U

http://youtu.be/qSF6kx3Z24E

http://youtu.be/WXzfufBrDHQ

http://youtu.be/gmUP_xDfQ0A

http://youtu.be/GvniWu-5peQ

http://youtu.be/lK-vZDMOfhs

http://youtu.be/3YXPC0IuEFs

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

The temperature was 45 (F) 7 (C) with clouds and sun to start the day

Click on the pics to view the full version

There were no falcons on Seneca Towers as I left for my watch this morning so I drove straight away to downtown. Turned out that was a good thing or I wouldn’t have spent the few short minutes I did with Beauty. She was on the Times Square building (TSB) under the northeast wing as I arrived in the hole on Aqueduct St.

Just before she flew off  less than 10 minutes later, the Beautyful one became even prettier as the golden sun hit her as it rose from the eastern horizon.

She left when I wasn’t looking and I wouldn’t see her again. I shifted my attention to the river after checking around town with no falcon sightings. I stopped on the Court St. Bridge and spotted the Great Egret fishing below the south side of the Broad St. Bridge (BSB). The usual ducks and gulls were enjoying their morning routines.

I left and took a ride around finding a man on the first K on the south side of the Kodak Office tower. Then I made my way back to the BSB where I was closer to the egret.

I walked across to the north side of the BSB and watched the ducks doing their tail up diving for food and other duck things.

Finally around 8:30am Dot.Ca (DC) showed up under the northeast wing of the TSB. I went back down to the hole to watch but he didn’t stay but a few minutes and he was off to fly to the Mercury money bag (MMB).

I drove over by the Blue Cross Arena on Broad St. to observe him but the back lighting was not any better there than down in the hole. DC had a full crop so I know he had some breakfast and one picture was so dark I just gave it a neon outline in Picassa.

I moved up on the bridge for the best view and conditions. DC was quite alert looking every which way-he flew over to the TSB back under the northeast wing at 9am.

DC was looking quite bright white in the light from the sun.

<Click it

I left DC to look for Beauty one more time before heading out-no luck. When I got home to Seneca Towers I pulled over in my spot on Seth Green Drive before the visitor parking and stopped. No falcons at first,  but less than a minute later Billie came flying in from the south vocalizing and came to rest on the west side railing.

The sun came out from behind the clouds to give a nice blue sky background before Buffalo Billie flew south some 20 minutes later. She returned and circled the building then disappeared for good. I ended my watch at 9:45am smiling from thinking how lucky I am to live with Peregrine Falcons! 🙂

Click on the links below to view todays videos
http://youtu.be/CVLxXcy0pTs

http://youtu.be/6hea3PP9y1k

http://youtu.be/nJpHMpqWOkE

By Rochester Falcon Watcher Carol P.

6:00 – 7:00 pm

Watchers Out Tonight:  Kathy O, Joyce, Brian H and Carol P.

When I arrived on the Broad St Bridge, around 6:00 pm, I spotted Kathy O in her car.  I parked in front of her.  She and Joyce had reported that both Beauty and Dot.ca were on the south side top IBeam of the OCSR.  Just as I was getting out of my car, one of the falcons took off, heading west towards the Times Square Bldg (TSB).  The second falcon followed.  They were both flying around the TSB.  I got back in my car and pulled up for a closer look.  I could hear ee-chup! ee-chup! ee-chups! fill the air.  Love that sound!  Both Beauty and Dot.ca had landed on the south east wing ledge and they were both vocalizing/chatting with each other.

*

*

*

*

*

Joyce and Brian joined Kathy and I.  Dot.ca took off and headed east with rapid wing beats.  He flew around the Xerox Tower and over it.  A few moments later, Beauty took off and headed northeast.  We all headed back to the Broad St Bridge for a better view.  She was flying over the area surrounding the Andrew St Bridge.  We lost sight of her when she stooped behind some buildings.  While we were all watching Beauty, Dot.ca returned to the Times Square Bldg’s northeast wing ledge.

*

*

*

*

*

Everyone left at about 6:30 pm, but I wanted to stay until it got dark, hoping to see where Dot.ca’s nighttime roost was.  I suspected he was still using the OCSR elevator shaft.  Joyce had taken Brian home and on the way checked out the Xerox Tower.  She tweeted that Beauty was up on the south side, 5th column in from the southeast corner.  This was Beauty’s nighttime roost spot.  So I waited until it started to get dark.  A little before 7:00 pm, Dot.ca took off and stooped from the top of the Times Square Bldg, heading southeast over the river.  When he went low, I lost sight of him.  After waiting a few moments, he had not returned, so I ended my watch a little after 7:00 pm.  Called due to lack of light!  lol

During the time I was watching Dot.ca, a most beautiful sunset was happening behind the Times Square Bldg.  Here are some pictures.  If you look carefully, you can see Dot.ca up on the northeast wing ledge in the first picture.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Here are some other pics from my watch tonight and one (of the Great Blue Heron in flight) from yesterday’s watch.

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

*

Goodnight everyone!  Remember to keep your eyes to the sky!  You never know what you might see up there!

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

Brrr, a chilly start to the day at 39 (F) 4 (C) degrees but it rebounded quite nicely as bright sunshine took over

Click on the pics to see the full version

My watch started right out of the gate as I spotted a falcon on the northwest corner of my building, Seneca Towers. I thought it was Billie at first as it looked big, but when it took off  a minute later, it looked more like 99 to me. Pre-dawn light is tough on a camera.

When whoever it was didn’t return I set out for downtown finding Dot.Ca (DC) on the Mercury money bag (MMB), Beauty under the northeast wing of the Times Square building (TSB) and the moon beside it at 7:30am. I was watching from the Broad St. Bridge (BSB).

<Beauty   DC> 

I looked up to see that Beauty had left the building and when I looked back to the MMB, DC was also gone so I checked out the river. When I didn’t find anything of interest there I looked at Mercury again and voila Beauty was on the base and DC back on the money bag.  He keeps track of his mate very well when it’s meal time.

A couple minutes later the Beautyful one moved over on the green part of the base and I thought DC would fall off trying to watch her every move. He literally had to spread out his wings to catch himself when he lost his footing while turning to watch her.

<Click it  

They both gave a look my way-love it when they do that!

Around 8:15am Beauty flew back to the northeast wing ledge of the TSB and DC remained for a minute or two then flew to the southeast wing ledge to be closer to his girl. Ain’t love grand!?

<Click it

<Click it  

I went for coffee and on my way to my car in the hole on Basin St. next to the Wilder building I spotted DC circling the TSB and Beauty was gone. When I reached my car I grabbed my camera and as I was watching DC after he landed on the northeast wing ledge, he started looking straight down. No wonder, Beauty had landed on the column below him and right above the nest box.

One of them was vocalizing as Beauty had a fascinator (a feather stuck on her) on her beak. This was around 8:45am-it didn’t stay this way for long as Beauty flew up under the northwest wing.

They both flew off about 10 minutes later and returned with Beauty landing under the northwest wing and DC under the northeast wing facing her. She flew off again right away followed by DC. He returned to the northeast wing and Beauty flew up to him, some vocalizing occurred, then DC took off and she landed in his spot. No falcons there or at Seneca Towers. I was smiling when I ended my watch at 9:30am! 🙂

Click on the links to see todays videos

http://youtu.be/G-2mavh3e8U

http://youtu.be/WcqacUSjBdA

http://youtu.be/xfyQ-zupOrc

http://youtu.be/f4iQ7zOlgPI

http://youtu.be/wwlWvcn8nc8

http://youtu.be/ULSLl8mOF9k

By Rochester Falcon Watcher MAK

It was breezy sun and clouds this morning and a starting temperature of  54 (F) 12 (C)

Click on my pics to see the full version

I was lucky enough to start my watch as I stepped out the door from Seneca Towers with Billie and 99 (new name for Mr. Yellow Tape). She was on the northwest corner railing and he was on the west side railing.

Buffalo Billie, as I like to call her (she is from Buffalo), flew off and came to rest near her beau on the west side railing. After that they were both off and flying for the next 10-15 minutes landing on different spots on the roof and flying again together.

<Click it 

There was vocalizing and I got the feeling they were really enjoying chasing each other around and above the building, I too was enjoying it.

They continued flying around together and eventually disappeared to the north and didn’t return.

Time to head downtown-as I was stopped at the traffic light at State St. and the inner loop I checked the north side of OCSR with my binoculars and spotted Dot.Ca (DC) on the top ibeam north corner. I pulled over on State St. across from the Rochester Plaza Hotel to observe our bright white friend.5 minutes later DC turned into the sun and suddenly he was our golden boy as he walked out of view to the east side of the ibeam.

As I made my way toward Times Square (TSB) I could see Beauty under the northeast wing. I went to Basin St. in the hole to watch and 3 minutes later she flew east out of view.

I then drove up to the Broad St. Bridge (BSB) where a surprise was waiting for me at 8am-DC was on the Mercury money bag (MMB) and the Beautyful one was on the base of Mercury.

Beauty stood there calmly but DC was definitely looking for a meal to fly by. They looked at each other and then DC spotted something and flew off into a stoop at first, then came out of it and flew over by the Radisson Hotel before flying to the TSB under the northeast wing.

Beauty remained on Mercury base until around 8:30am when she flew to a small ledge on the southeast corner of TSB briefly then off to the southeast side top ibeam of OCSR.

I left the bridge and went down to the hole on Basin St. to watch after Beauty left OCSR and flew to the TSB landing under the southeast wing across from DC. They stayed like this for about a half hour  then someone alarm called and they both took off to the NE out of view.

They returned soon after taking over the same ledges they had just flown from around 9am.

DC  

Beauty   

I left our downtown pair of Peregrine Falcons, checking Hawkeye and Seneca Falls with no sightings ending my watch at 9:30am. I also saw our Seneca Falls pair making for a big old smiley face! 🙂

Click on the links below to view a photo album and videos from todays watch

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AaN3DFm0ZMWqj8U

http://youtu.be/EjTjtirQOLw
http://youtu.be/4Tl2CrPkTs4
http://youtu.be/C29BB2lZe_g
http://youtu.be/ctQdhjABfYI
http://youtu.be/Upugcd-k00Q
http://youtu.be/ckuVC5h331w