My first up close and personal was the day Quest fledged.  She flew very well, but couldn't get height to get back up to the roof of Kodak, and landed on the grassy area across the street on Brown.  Then she got herself up on the guard rail next to the alley.  We were very concerned with Quest being so close to the road where cars go by.  It was decided a rescue would be made.  Carol was behind Quest with her jacket, and I was approaching slowly from the front with another watcher to distract Quest.  Well, Quest would have none of it! She turned around, saw Carol and flapped her way to a low building.

I will never forget looking into those juvenile eyes. But little miss independence found her way to higher places over the next few hours.  And today, she is still the independent peregrine wandering around the  north shore of Lake Ontario.

Kathleen "Kathy" (Magin) Guchone Obituary: View Kathleen Guchone's Obituary by Rochester Democrat.

Rochester: Friday, March 25, 2011 at age 64. She is predeceased by her father, Andrew Magin. Survived by her mother, Betty Magin; sons, Andy (Liz) and John Guchone; grandchildren, John Guchone, Jr., Tabitha and Theia; brother, John (Wendy) Magin; sister, Sharon (Faye Wilbur) Magin; several nieces and nephews; special friends, BilliJo Wolf and Cathy Saner.

Family and friends may call on Tuesday, March 29th from 4-8 PM at New Comer Funeral Home, 6 Empire Blvd. Private interment. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Wild Wings, 27 Pond Rd., Honeoye Falls, NY 14472.

[Remembering...]

Remembering...

In 2006, Kathy G was the first falconwatcher I met when I came downtown to see where the Kodak Falcons lived.  She was with Kathy O sitting on the corner of Platt and State Streets starring at the top of Kodak Tower with binoculars. They were on Fledge Watch.  Kathy G loved watching the peregrine falcons, especially when they would fly around Kodak Tower.  Who would have thought that I would end up sitting in a chair on the streets of Rochester with my eyes to the skies.

Rest in peace Kathy G, and fly free on the angel wings of the peregrine falcon.

Joyce

[MAKfalcon (MAK):]

MAKfalcon (MAK): Just witnessed a food exchange male to female both landing on a ledge just below roof then off and talon tagging and back

MAK was housebound today and I suggested she go to Buffalo with me in the afternoon, take my car, and watch falcons while I am at work.  What else would an IAMNOTADDICTED watcher do?  Those CT falcons are an active pair and fun to watch. Sorry I couldn't be there with her. ~Joyce

Check the latest updates regarding Azalea/ Norfolk Botanical Garden Eagle Tracking...

http://www.wildlifetracking.org/index.shtml?tag_id=83736

D%$# hangnail

That's a first for me.  Look how Beauty as her back nail clicking her front nail.  And...the intense look on her face. I love this shot.

  Another great escape

On Wednesday 3/16, I was in meetings from 9 to 5 (literally), followed by a company dinner.  With little time to spare, I took a detour to see the UB falcons.  For me, there is no better way to wind down, than to get a falcon fix. It made the dinner all that more pleasurable.

"BB" was on a NE ledge of the Mackay Tower - sitting and preening.  As I was getting ready to leave, I saw the tiercel on the corner of Clark Hall, which is the closest building to the Mackay Tower.  I took a few pictures, and then headed to my car.  As I approached the road, he took off, and I went back to see if he was on the tower.  He did a couple aerial displays for BB, then landed on top of the tower.  It was difficult to see him with the smoke coming from the tower.  BB moved to the nestbox perch.  In the below photo you can make out her ID -N/58.  



In one photo of the male, it looks like an all black band, but it is not absolutely clear. This would be consistent with "Yankee" from the Canadian falls side.  I suspect it is the same pair as last year.  

Here is the link to my slideshow. To view individual photos, click X at bottom of the slideshow to return to the album.

https://picasaweb.google.com/wnyfalconwatcher/WED31611UBPefas#slideshow/5585278246731237426

Enjoy!
Joyce

Twitter is all screwed up today.  I posted that Brian reported Beauty hunting by Xerox at 5:17 pm.  

I got a message back that said "Hi, we're currently working on improving Twitter and can't process your message at this time. Use m.twitter.com or try again later."

Joyce

[THERE"S ARCHER!!!]

Archer sure does know how to court Beauty this year...a lot more presents too.  Does that mean he'll be bringing in more food his year...expecting a larger brood?  Pretty soon he'll be digging to Antartica.

The part I'm enjoying is seeing the difference between Mr. T's earnest but immature attempts at courtship.  And Beauty's lukewarm response-but not chasing him just in case. 

Then...THERE"S ARCHER!!!  Headstand bowing...treats at the nest...near constant ee-chupping... dancing in the air...even just watching the still cameras you can feel the excitement!

I agree Ei.  Archer has definitely matured compared to last year.  I suspect that this was Mr. T’s first attempt at wooing a female.  He was polite, that’s for sure!  That’s why I feel so confident that he was just chased away when Archer reappeared.  Beauty’s entire demeanor changed when Archer came back.

Archer sure does know how to court Beauty this year...a lot more presents too.  Does that mean he'll be bringing in more food his year...expecting a larger brood?  Pretty soon he'll be digging to Antartica.

[WanderingFalcon (Carol P.):]

WanderingFalcon (Carol P.): Lady Pefa has a friend!  woohoo!

Yippie!  Can't wait to see who this friend is.

Last year, LP's friend was banded. I got a picture of the silver band, and on a different day Carol P was pretty sure she saw black bands through her scope.

If LP's friend doesn't have any bands, then maybe Mr. T has found his way north. 

OR...maybe the small pefa that Susan C spotted on Monday 3/14 afternoon on the Ibay bridge 1/2 way across on a lightpole has come to check things out at KP.

Joyce

Nice job Jeanne.  A Here are a couple of clarifications and additions:

CB = Charbay = Charlotte/Irondequoit Bay Falcon (sighted at both locations)
IB or Ibay = Irondeqouit Bay
KO = Kodak Office = Kodak Tower
LP = Lady Pefa = Kodak Park (KP) falcon from Ohio (possibly Unity from Toledo)
M&K = Mariah & Kaver
RFW = Rochester Falcon Watchers
RM+T - Rhea Mae and Tiago = 2006 daughter of M&K and mate


Organizations we commonly refer to...
BBRR = Braddock Bay Raptor Research
CMNH = Cleveland Museum of Natural History (Forum where observations of Seneca were documented)
CPF = Canadian Peregrine Foundation
GVAS = Genesee Vally Audubon Society
RFC = RFALCONCAM = Rochester Falcon Cam

making lots of noise

OK, I need to confess, this is one of those times when it stinks to only have the internet connecting (most of) us.  I want to get in my car & drive to Donna's house (I think she's closest to me) and dance & scream in the streets that ARCHER CAME HOME!  

Was that the falcon dance Ei? ACK ACK...do the bird!!!

Even though we had gray skies, it was so exciting to watch Archer and Beauty flying together.  You could just see how happy they were resuming their courtship. They were both flying around TS and I thought if the "Watcher's Watcher" was at work in his office he would have known it was A+B (that has a nice ring).  

AAHHH - Love is in the air.  Now we know where that saying came from!