Once again, it's that time of the year when I go first to the cameras and only then to the Forum.
Nothing like the start of falcon season!  Which reminds me -- I'm overdue to hike down to my local peregrine territory and see what's going on.

Paul

I am very sure that it was Archer and Beauty that I saw on the Kodak Tower.  I believe that Archer was eating up on the launchpad while Beauty was lookin on.  If you'll notice, I didn't ID either Pefa in that report, because I did not believe it was Mr. T, but I couldn't be 100% sure. 

I remember noticing that you did not ID either falcon and went, "hmm."

Paul

Linda and Craig,

With her photo magnet on our refrigerator and her egg on our tree every Christmas, Scratch will always be a part of our lives.  It was amazing to see her jump high in the air to catch a worm.  She always seemed so happy sleeping in Craig's arms.

Paul, Mary, and Catherine

Looking at the second to the last photo, am I the omly one who imagines a thermometer flanked by two starlings to be a promising coat of arms?

Paul

Nice shots!

Paul

Happy Birthday, Mary!

Paul

PS -- Glad to hear you are on the mend.

Happy Birthday, Donna!

Paul

Lou,

All of these made me smiile.  Great stuff!

Congratulations on the weight loss.  Now you can carry 75 pounds of camera gear while running after falcons.

Thanks,

Paul

Thursday night was cool and rainy.  Perhaps that prompted Zuzu to stop by earlier than normal, at about 10 PM.  My daughter, Catherine, spotted her and called to us.  The visit lasted until most of the seed cake was gone.  At that point she jumped down to the windowsill and dove off into the night.  Catherine remarked that it was amazing that Zuzu could stay so well-groomed among bark, pine sap, and rain.

Paul

Thanks, Patti!

Sandhill Cranes are at the top of my list of birds I want to see.  I like your pictures of them against the textures of the cornfields.  Also, the stubble gives me an idea of how big the cranes are.

Paul

The photographer's work has been in National Geographic and other major publications.  If his photos are fakes, they are certainly good ones.

http://www.thomaspeschak.com/

Paul

It pays to check the camera these days


Paul

My daughter, Catherine, came home early from school today to discover this bird perched outside our window.  She described it as a "small big bird" -- not as big as a peregrine.  From the size and rounded tail, I think it is a tiercel Cooper's Hawk, the same species that was in the nearby Library of Congress a few weeks ago.  My wife, Mary, took this picture. 

I love the intensity of these birds.

Paul

"...we may have a new drama brewing here in Rochester. Where’s Archer? Is he just late returning home, or is this new tiercel going to be Beauty’s new mate?..."

This was posted on Imprints almost exactly one year ago.

http://rfalconcam.com/imprinting/?p=966

A month later, the tiercel was gone and Archer was back.

Paul

We spend 3-4 weekends a year on Ocracoke, about 30 miles off the NC coast.  Many of you have seen my pictures.  Here is a story from Phil Howard, owner of the Village Craftsman, who is an even better storyteller in person.

http://villagecraftsmen.blogspot.com/2011/02/loon-rescue.html

Paul