From Suzanne & Don (as reported on the forum)

Don and I spent a wonderful weekend in Rochester!  When we arrived Saturday morning Callidora and Beauty flew over us in Aqueduct Park.  Don rushed back to the car to get the camera and they both flew low enough that I put my binos down and just enjoyed watching them!  We stayed in the Aqueduct Park area most of the day, sitting under the trees and out of the sun.  We were joined by Dana, Carol, Jeanne, and Brian.  Jim D. also popped in for a bit.  It was great to see Callidora make her first OCSR I-beam landing, after several attempts to scope out the precise logistics of an I-beam! 

Sunday morning we went to the bridge where Dana, Dan, and MAK were watching.  This was the morning we watched Callidora and Beauty in a food exchange.  We all knew it was coming, because Beauty flew around, prey in talons, looking for Callidora.  Archer offered to take the food, but Beauty was saving it for Callidora.  Carol, Dana, and Don were clicking away with their cameras, while I just enjoyed watching mom and daughter!  It was awesome! 

This is the link to the photo album Don put together of the exchange.  Hope you enjoy it.

 http://tinyurl.com/2ejy2mm

Suzanne

 

 

Tuesday 20-Jul-2010

 

Bonnie reports:

Loved my pilgrimage to falcon Mecca.  It was good to see a fledgling in Rochester again.  I just knew  Kid Calli would wait for us to get there to show off her newly acquired flying skills.

 

Pictures are coming.  And the tattoos are still on!  Hubby took a picture of one for the falcon record. I spent all day editing pictures and preparing a video.  

 

Video on YouTube – (only be up for a day or two).  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m7ymR9hcEkE

 

 

Alternate QuickTime Video [After loading, click u]  

http://web.me.com/talluto/Wildlife/Rochester_Falcons_July_2010.html

 

And here is the link to the Kodak picture file:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/gallery/sharing/shareRedirectSwitchBoard.jsp?token=619495002212%3A667293075&sourceId=533754321803&cm_mmc=eMail-_-Share-_-Photos-_-Sharee

 

or

 

http://tinyurl.com/29sfgnl

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Monday 19-Jul-2010

 

Joyce reports:

The falcons are the reason we come together…but it is the people who make Watcher’s Weekend! I had a wonderful time sharing this weekend with all who attended.  Thanks to everyone who came from out-of town…great seeing you again!  And, it was a pleasure meeting those who joined us for the first time.

 

Kris G reports:

Bill and I had a really nice time on Saturday-seeing watchers that we had met before and meeting so many new people that I only knew by name on the Forum.  We tried fifty ways to Sunday (our GPS was going crazy rerouting us) to get to the Planetarium for the movie and ran into police barricades everywhere!  We got so frustrated that we ended up going home earlier than we had anticipated.  We watched TV that night to see what was going on and found out that it was the annual Pride parade that prevented us from getting through. Unfortunately, we couldn’t attend on Sunday due to a prior commitment but we want to thank all of you for all that you do.

 

Brian reports:

To all the visitors…I enjoyed spending time with you this past weekend.

 

Dawn reports:

 A few pictures…………

 

http://picasaweb.google.com/dawnv311/2010FalconWatchersWeekend?authkey=Gv1sRgCPuInqmY0KSSXw&feat=directlink

 

 

Huddiecat reports:

Glad to hear everyone made it home safely!  It was great to see everyone, and what a welcome the falcons provided the group!   The trip to the Planatarium was somewhat of a challenge, but the falcons made up for by performing a food exchange, a stoop on a duck, and some nice flying around above us.  ~Suzanne

 

Lou reports:

Nice weekend! I think we had almost 15 out of towners and there were some new local faces in the crowd. I tried getting pictures of those who weren’t already in the Falcon Watcher’s album. Hopefully, I got everyone’s name correct. If not, let me know.

 

I wanted to send a big ‘thanks’ out to my fellow Rochester peeps and to others who brought food to the Tailgater Breakfast – we had enough food for both days. I sampled everything! (BTW, I give the homemade pastry blue ribbon to MAK for her Pumpkin Roll.)

 

I think Aqueduct Park worked out great. I knew it was going to be good as soon as the Rochester Falcons themselves gave us a Saturday morning welcome fly-by directly over the river in front of us at exactly 9:00 am.  The old pedestrian bridge was nice, but it was as if the new family was formally welcoming us to a new era. And it was nice to be close to the hotels, the restaurants, restrooms, etc. The lunch walk to the Dinosaur Bar B Q worked out well – some people were able to get a table and eat inside (with the air conditioning) and the rest of us just brought our bagged take-out meals back to the park to eat in the shade. The Planetarium trip was somewhat thwarted by the fifteen thousand people blocking the streets near the Planetarium but most people managed to get through the crowds to see the Falcons of Toronto movie.  Oh well, we’ll do better planning next year! 

 

Saturday night was just plain beautiful though; we couldn’t have asked for a more perfect summer evening. And although I couldn’t avoid getting roped into Brian’s Falcon Dance, Sunday was just as nice!

 

At any rate, It’s a different venue with a different family of birds, but Watcher’s Weekend has always been one of my favorite parts of the season here in Rochester and this year was no exception.

 

Glad everybody made it home safe and sound. Hope to see even more visitors next year!

 

Kapi reports:

I guess I am the last out-of-towner to make it home.  After an easy drive, the predicted thunderstorms that never showed up in Rochester hit here in Vermont.  It was a small cell, though, and the sun is out again.  I haven’t had time to read through all the posts as yet, so this may have been reported, but I need to add that the “stragglers” spent Sunday afternoon and evening on a nostalgic trip to the pedestrian bridge.  We were treated to a visit from a mysterious falcon who flew in from the north.  This was followed by Beauty and Archer flying down to check things out.  No aggression but definite watchfulness.  Since the bridge seemed to be a sort of boundary line, we were positioned for a good show.

 

The welcoming local watchers, the other out-of-towners, the weather, the new location, and the awesome flying all contributed to a memorable weekend.

 

 

 

Sunday 18-Jul-2010

 

Morning – 6:10 AM Archer and Callidora on HSBC, Callidora eating breakfast. 8:30 – Callidora and Beauty flew over river, then to jail, went behind TS and disappeared. Archer was on OCSR but also has disappeared.  Watchers began to gather again at Aqueduct Park. Callidora was on tall FCT crying. Adult was on short tower.

 

Afternoon – Archer & Beauty on top I-beam OCSR northside. Can hear Callidora above. Many watchers took leave and began their trip home.

 

Ginha reports:

Here are the pictures I took Saturday. A FUN time was had by all. I only got 2 shots of a Falcon. I leave that to the Watchers with the big lenses.

 

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLanding.action?c=h8pt95f.7csaxi0z&x=1&y=-kmxj1k&localeid=en_US

 

http://tinyurl.com/3529366

 

 

 

Evening – A top I-beam OCSR southside. Archer and Callidora soaring over the city, higher and higher. Nice flight lesson!  Callidora landed on base of mercury. She took off and headed towards HSBC and was spotted on the westside of HSBC…crying.

 

Braveheart2665 reports:

Had a fantastic time Sat. & it was great to meet all the watchers.

 

Dumpsterkitty reports: 

One quick story & picture before I crash (339 pictures and quite a few of them actually have falcons in them! Be a few days before I sort through it all…)

 

When I left the hotel this morning I saw Beauty on the SE corner of Changing scenes top I beam.  Took a couple of pictures & went on my merry way to the Broad St. Bridge and met up with Don, Suzanne & Dana.  Don asked if I had seen Archer on Changing Scenes.  I said, no, it’s Beauty.  He said, no, it’s Archer-here’s his picture.  I said I stand corrected.  He said they had switched, so I figured I had just missed it while I was walking over.  Until I looked at my pictures…

 

Colleen T reports: 

I had a great time, loved seeing everyone again and meeting new people.  Missed some of the flights yesterday, but saw some great family flying this morning and of course, my special Callidora show yesterday morning!  Many memories!

 

I just want to say thank you to all the locals.  Every year you roll out the red carpet and are the best hosts.  But after everything you do daily for the falcons and for us by posting your reports, your fabulous pictures, maps, not to mention all the work on the website and cameras…(I could go on for days!), I feel like we should be hosting you.  Instead you feed us, give us buttons, maps, tags, notepaper… and all we do is show up.  Thank you isn’t enough.  You are a very special community, welcoming and generous.   Thank you! 

 

 

Paul Hamilton reports: 

Thanks for a great time!  Between the amazing hospitality of the local Watchers, the great city of Rochester, and the falcons, all three of us had a wonderful time.  Fireworks, breakfast, companionship, and falcons — that’s all one really needs.

 

I’ve got about a half hour of videotape to process.  That;s going to take a while.  I also have a few still pictures of Beauty and Archer on the Old Changing Scenes restaurant that I can post now.  There is much mention on rfalconcam of the “I-beams” on Changing Scenes.  Our room at the Radisson was a great place to view Changing Scenes, so here are the I-beams, complete with falcons. 

 

I also added a shot of the nestbox from our room.  This is what the falcons see as they fly to the box.  After this weekend, I have a much better feel for the world of the Rochester Peregrines.  I hope that my edited videos will help people who were unable to attend to get a similar understanding.

 

A big, “Thank You” to all the Watchers– both local out-of-town — who made this weekend so special.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jeanne reports:

It was so great to see everyone!!!  So glad we have these weekends!  Glad you all made it home safe! 

 

Carol P reports:

Thank you all for coming to Rochester to visit with Archer, Beauty and Callidora!  New birds and a new place to get acquainted with.  It was so nice seeing old and new friends that share our love of these magnificent creatures.  You all make this such a warm and friendly place to visit.

 

Thanks for letting us know that you’ve arrived home safely.  I hope that you’ll all be able to return next year.   Take care.

 

Lynne in New Hampshire reports: 

Our thanks to all the Rochester people for the hospitality that was shown to all of us!  As always we had a great time.  It was great to see everyone from out of town again.  Great people-good food-wonderful time!! And don’t forget the wonderful Falcon’s who put on a great flying show for us.  ~ Lynne and Bob

 

MAK reports:

It was really good to meet all the out-of-towners. I’m kinda sad that watchers weekend is over. It sure was alot of fun with everyone. I hope you all return next year and more out-of-towners who didn’t make it  can join us.  Glad to hear everyone is getting home safe and sound.

 

Sage reports: 

Rochester Rocks!

 

Roger and I met many of the fantastic Rochester falcon-watchers this weekend at the Saturday breakfast in the park. More watchers arrived after these pictures were taken. I wish they would all move to Buffalo!

 

Callidora was spotted bringing her breakfast to the event which she ate from a building next to the park! Later, two pefas were seen flying overhead before they disappeared behind the buildings. We hope Callidora’s brother Jemison can soon join her and give the dedicated falcon watchers a wonderful treat!

 

Thanks for the great time, Rochester!

  

Saturday 17-Jul-2010

 

Morning – 6:15 AM Callidora flying above the Xerox, Dan said all 3 were flying around there for 1/2 hour.

 

Colleen T reports:

The morning began with no falcons, then 2 on changing scenes.  Then Wendy and I went over to the garage looking for either watchers or falcons.  Saw neither for a while, then just a glimpse of a falcon who flew from behind OCS to behind a building.

 

So Wendy and I decided to go over to the pedestrian bridge (around 7:30).  Again, no watchers and no falcons…until….

 

We hear a bunch of little birds twittering and Wendy says “I guess I’ll just do some regular bird watching, since there are no falcons”.   I turn to see the birds she’s talking about and silhouetted against the sun is this bigger bird…”Wendy, what’s that?!”  It was Callidora!  She gave us our own private show – it was awesome!  She chased the little birds for a while (right over our heads!), did circles around the gorge (wish we had been on the observation deck – she was real low over that), stooped on a seagull, did a circle around downtown then landed on the communication tower.

 

A little after 8 she headed back downtown and so did we.  I can see some watchers starting to gather at the park for the breakfast (I recognize Brian, Kapi and others whose names I can’t remember).  I’ll be down there soon!

 

900 AM – Watchers Weekend is launched with a BANG!  Archer, Beauty and Callidora with a food exchange over the river! What a great way to start!   The Tailgate Breakfast was a success!  Everyone had fun getting a tattoo. Watchers occasionally spotted a falcon flying.  Archer landed on OCSR second I beam far left.

 

Afternoon –  Archer still on northside OCSR.  Beauty and Callidora on FCT in the red below platform. Too hot for much activity.  Watchers take a break and head out to the Planetarium.  Due to traffic re-routing because of a parade on East Ave, all access was blocked and several didn’t make it to the shows Falcons of Toronto & Dolphins.

 

Evening – Beauty on top I-beam southside OCSR. Archer on top I-beam near elevator shaft northside OCSR.  Beauty and Callidora soaring together. Callidora over gorge and loving being a peregrine. 8:30 PM Callidora stooped on and chased a duck down to the river. Watchers got quite the show! Woohoo! Callidora then landed on Widows Walk. At 9:00 PM two falcons were on the eastside of Xerox – one was Callidora settling in for the night.

 

 

 

Friday 16-Jul-2010

 

Morning – started with all 3 on Midtown.  Beauty flew right over Pedestrian Bridge over watchers heads.  She is molting, missing a feather on each wing…easy to ID in flight. At 7:03 AM Callidora was on base of Mercury eating, feathers flying. Beauty landed minutes later. No Archer.  Beauty under NE wing Times Square (TS). Callidora still on Mercury, food dangling from her beak. She just took off and went behind Xerox building.

 

Afternoon – All 3 flying over Broad St. Archer went towards jail. Beauty landed on Mercury’s foot. Callidora on the base. Beauty took off with Callidora close behind. Flying lessons began all over downtown. Callidora remained downtown. Beauty hunted over river and landed on 2nd I-beam northside of Old Changing Scenes Restaurant (OCSR), also known as First Federal Building. One falcon on Frontier Communication Tower (FCT).  At 2:48pm MAK, Brian and Ei on South Ave. garage: Callidora and Archer on Frontier Communication Tower.

 

Evening – 5:10pm Beauty & Callidora dining on FCT. Archer on OCSR.

 

Colleen T reports:

From the 15th floor of the Radisson I see one falcon (Archer?) directly across from me on the Old Changing Scenes building, preening and another on the communication tower.  I may not leave my room!  (Don’t know where to go anyway…)  Seems like I have a good spot here (and in a/c!)

 

Watchers gathered on South Ave garage. Archer gave a great aerial display over watcher’s heads. Then all three were spotted flying above gorge.  More watchers arrived to see Archer and Callidora flying around Xerox.  9:00 PM Beauty flew in with a huge bird in her talons.  It was so huge she was struggling!  Watchers didn’t think she would make it to the top of Xerox but she did!  Beauty & Callidora at top of Xerox.

 

 

 

 

Thursday 15-Jul-2010 – Out-of-towner arrives…

 

Dumpsterkitty reports:

I finally found the REALLY slow public computer here at the Raddison-tiny room back by the garage-creepy!  Anyway-

 

Met up with MAK at City Hall.  She graciously drove me all around town until we FINALLY found Beauty and Callidora on the Jail Communication Tower.  Callidora is GINORMOUS!  They took off to the east & we followed.

 

Found Callidora (and Beauty hiding) on HSBC.  Jeanne, Shaky & Carrie joined us. C did some beautiful flying-you could just tell she was flying just because it was fun!  She and Beauty played some talon tag then flew way out east then back.  Around Xerox…scared up some crows. 

Eventually Archer came in and we saw all 3 flying together! Archer took off west…Beauty took a trip out east then suddenly showed up on Midtown…then Callidora took off way to the west.  At that point it was getting too dark to see. 

 

It was great to meet MAK & see Jeanne, Shaky & Carrie again!  Can’t wait to see the rest of the gang & meet some new friends!

 

 

Rochester Falcon Watcher:  Carol P.

I was downtown, along with many other Watchers, for a good part of today. During that time, there was a lot of flying by Archer and Beauty and a lot of flapping by Callidora & Jemison.

After a dinner break, I returned to find a whole lot of Watchers in attendance, Kathy O, Lisa McK, Joyce, Willie, Dan S, Dana, Lou, MAK & Marcia, Ralph & his wife (sorry I forgot your name).  I’m sure I’m missing someone.  I wasn’t on official Watch, so I wasn’t keeping track of names.

By 7 pm, there were only a handful of Watchers left, Marcia, Joyce, MAK, Lisa and I.  I felt really sorry for those that had just left, because that’s when the fun began.

We watched as Jemison flap, flap, flapped on top of the main camera.  and then……………………..off he went (he was banded as a small female, but I’ve started to think of him as a him, just my opinion)!

Jemison took flight!  Real, long, sustained flight.  Not just the short flight over to the other side of the Times Square bldg.  Jemison first flew out to the east towards the river.  Beauty zipped in from the Mercury statue where she had been for a long time.  It looked like she was physically pushing him back towards the Times Square bldg.  Stopping him from heading for the river.

Jemison flew back to the long section of the Times Square bldg on the south side, landing quite well.  Beauty landed above and kept watch.

Jemison flapped, hopped and skipped his way to the taller, front part of the building, coming up against a wall, which he attempted to climb, jumping up on small ledges until there were no more.  This didn’t stop him.  Off he went yet again, this time heading south, then east.  Again, Beauty was there to guide him back to the Times Square bldg, where he landed on the same section he had first landed on, except this time on the north side.  The remaining Watchers hurried to the other side.

Jemison was not happy where he was and was in constant motion, again heading towards the taller part of the building where the nest box was located.  He tried to climb again with no success.  Finally attempted a short flight up, but missing his target.  This time he fell down the face of the building, threw his wings out and started flapping again, heading east.  Jeanne had joined me at this point and I quickly told her what was happening.

He headed towards the east, again towards the river and Beauty put up a block.  She followed him very closely towards the Wilder building, where he landed at the top, south side.  Whew!  Safe yet again

For the next 15-20 mins, Jemison paced, flapped and hopped back and forth, making his way to the top of the fire escape that his parents were seen many times.

Again, off!  This time towards the Times Square bldg.  He first landed on the level above the nest box, rested a bit and then headed down to the level he had been flying to for two days.  One more short flight and he was safely back at the nest box.  Archer had returned during this last bit of flying.

We were all so excited to see Jemison flying so well.  He was getting altitude easily and flap, gliding and landing well.  I have to admit that he is probably one of the strongest first time fliers I’ve had the honor to watch.  Truly outstanding!

It was starting to rain, so we headed back to our cars.  Carla P joined us and we told her what had happened.  Beauty picked up a cache of food somewhere and flew up to land on a lower level with it.  She seemed to want to stay out of sight.  For some reason, she wasn’t ready to feed them.

We checked our watches and saw that it was 8 pm.  Jemison had been flying around for an hour.  We were ecstatic that he had done so well and had returned to the nest box safely.  Callidora was very happy too!  🙂

I left as it started to rain harder, so I’m not sure when or if Beauty fed them.  Maybe Joyce or MAK will be able to report on this.

It was a long but very enjoyable day of Falcon Watching.  🙂