That is what makes watching these creatures so fascinating to us.   They do not know their lives are under a microscope, and that we silly humans try to piece together their lives and instincts in terms of only what we know -- being HUMAN!   They only know being BIRD!  We watch because we are fascinated, because we come to care for them AND for the people who WATCH them.   
I am not a scientist or biologist, but I am a  long time bird lover, bird watcher, and bird keeper in my home  and I do know I learn every day from observing all of the birds that are in our lives.  I know from my 22 year old parrot that birds have intelligence, and can communicate, and operate on instinct.  I know my bird reacted to the loss of his long time companion and still reacts to her name. 
 I learn from listening and reading the posts of the more experienced watchers, and have always been in awe of the time, knowledge, and yes, humor and heartbreak that is shared on this forum. 
Until Carly brought up 2009 nesting, I think  I blocked it out.  That was a terrible year with Mariah being injured.  You may be on to something, Carly.  That was probably a failed nest, and I blocked it out completely..Only two last year, and then this year's nest failure.    Instinct would drive Archer to procreate.
And instinct is driving Beauty as well.   And we will all keep watching and hoping!
 

Priceless!  Little Harlie is one smart Pefa finding that little patch of shade. And Quest is just cooling off.  They are in full sun, and even if the temp is not that high, the sun bakes them.

Hard to view these pictures of B at the nest.  This time of the year, that box should be  bustling with babies getting ready to be banded or to fledge.   I think it was about this time last year that Callidora and Jemison were getting banded, and preparing to fledge.  So happy that some of the falcon team will be watchers this weekend in Toronto. 

A sad time for our Beauty and for us. 

But like I said...somewhere, Kris, this year has had its ups and downs.
 Mr. T,  Unity -- being identified.  UP!
Quest is the big one for me.  UP! I' ve followed her with fascination since she was an egg. Her own little one?  UP!
Linn identified?  UP!  Raising young?  UP!
Stormin' taking over a nest?  UP!
  
And now all the other grand eyases of M and K hatching, fledging, breeding in  Cananda?   UP!
The watchers going up to Toronto to watch   Rhea Mae's young 'uns fledge?  UP!

It's been an emotional roller coaster, and yes, our own nest box is hard to watch, but there is balance in nature, and I keep telling myself we are learning a lesson here in balance.    Right now, not so "up"  but it's coming.

Hard to view these pictures of B at the nest.  This time of the year, that box should be  bustling with babies getting ready to be banded or to fledge.   I think it was about this time last year that Callidora and Jemison were getting banded, and preparing to fledge.  So happy that some of the falcon team will be watchers this weekend in Toronto. 

I noticed that too, today.  Quest is certainly sitting tight on little Harlequin!   But Harlie is growing, and I do see feeding.  So good to have an eyas to watch!    Especially one from our Quest.  
Falcon folk:  when is the updated Quest tour tee shirt coming out?   Suggestion:  the front should look like the bodice-ripping classic cover of a Harlequin romance (of old) with Quest and Kendal and the back should continue the dates updated from last March 2010 -- I think it is.   Just a suggestion :-)
"Happily ever after"  with little Harlequin somewhere on the tee!  Maybe Ms. Hayes can provide some  creative ideas!  

Hahahaha!   I could just see Shaky wearing one of these.  

Good idea though Margaret.  We're working on one.  Hopefully soon.

 
Just tell Shaky to get in touch with his "softer" side! 
Romance sells!  Just ask Harlequin!   

 
I hope you do get up to Toronto to see her!   

I noticed that too, today.  Quest is certainly sitting tight on little Harlequin!   But Harlie is growing, and I do see feeding.  So good to have an eyas to watch!    Especially one from our Quest. 
Falcon folk:  when is the updated Quest tour tee shirt coming out?   Suggestion:  the front should look like the bodice-ripping classic cover of a Harlequin romance (of old) with Quest and Kendal and the back should continue the dates updated from last March 2010 -- I think it is.   Just a suggestion :-)
"Happily ever after"  with little Harlequin somewhere on the tee!  Maybe Ms. Hayes can provide some  creative ideas! 

[WanderingFalcon (Carol P.):]

WanderingFalcon (Carol P.): Correction. Kathy O meant to say V not B. Oops.

Link:
http://twitter.com/WanderingFalcon/statuses/77410274537250816

Who's V.....lol Oh I'm so confused!! Could be an upside down A or it's a U...

I'm confused. Are you confused?   

Okay ladies, step AWAY from the pigeon poop, get out of the sun, and into some shade!

Bawaaaaaaahahahaha! 

OK, yes it was warm  , and I was snoozing  , oh and by the way, ee-chuping makes a wonderful alarm clock.  My texting skills are not the best to begin with on my cheap cheap  cell phone so, V & U are right next to each other so, well U became V and KO became KP and well, you get the idea.   

Ok, so B was at KO and headed North! Would this be correct? 

Donna - Didn't they tell you NOT to poke the bear!   

If you look at the original tweet, you'll see that I already added the correction that I should have noted that I was downtown not at KP, and that Miss Beauty flew north from the nest box.   

:-)  This now reminding me of the Abbott and Costello "who's on first" routine!  Oh dear, I AM dating myself -- but my dad was a great fan of Abbott and Costello.  This exchange today is classic Abbott and Costello! 

These pictures of the sandhill cranes are gorgeous!  The story about the hunting of them is horrific!
I was telling a friend about this as he lives in Sarasota, Florida, and sandhill cranes lives all over his community.  They are quite tame and come pretty close to humans.   Where is the sport in hunting sandhill cranes?  I just don't get it!   They were hunted nearly into extinction once, so they want to to it again? 
Does not compute!
 

[WanderingFalcon (Carol P.):]

WanderingFalcon (Carol P.): Correction. Kathy O meant to say V not B. Oops.

Link:
http://twitter.com/WanderingFalcon/statuses/77410274537250816

Who's V.....lol Oh I'm so confused!! Could be an upside down A or it's a U...

I'm confused. Are you confused?   

Okay ladies, step AWAY from the pigeon poop, get out of the sun, and into some shade!

In those pictures that Mark Nash posted, Linn certainly does look like Mariah! 
 

Happy Birthday, Carla P!  Have a great year,

A peregrine falcon perched on a beam at the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in New York Harbor Wednesday while another falcon soared through the air nearby. The bridge is home to a pair of the birds and their chicks. (Patrick Cashin/Metropolitan Transportation Authority)

This is beautiful! The setting sun shone down Manhattan’s 42nd Street late Monday in the biannual event known as �Manhattanhenge,� when the setting sun aligns itself with the city’s east-west grid and shines down all gridded streets at the same time.

Just catching up on my newspaper reading, and the NY Post  (Thursday June 2 edition) has an article about Falcon Chciks hatch atop city bridges:   says that a bunch of Pefa Chicks have hatched across the bridges.  Article continues that 76  nesting pairs live across the state  (NY) and 20 pairs live on the cliffs in the Adirodacks!    So Pefas make the news in the New York Post!  

I remember that "New Dad" helpless feeling, but walking (flying) out was never an option!

dadtime

This video is a "Must see TV"!    First, Quest wandered for three years, but has great taste in tiercels! 
Kendal is quite the handsome male pefa!  I agree,  he is a big guy.   
This video clip captures a helpless, new dad who has no idea what to do, but is slowly catching on. You can see the bonding developing between Kendal and his young 'un.   GO get some food, Kendal!    I was a little surprised that the eyas was left alone for that time.  Hope that Quest and Kendal catch on to this parenting thing pretty soon!

In defense of Kendal...Harlequin was hanging over the edge a bit.  I knew she was still too small to likely go over, but Kendal was worried and herded her back into the box.

Nice picture of Kendal herding his baby  Harlie!