I finally saw a beautiful falcon up close and personal..what an experience

[jimala]

Hello all, this is Paula, jimala, formally from Branchport/Penn Yan area.  I have been watching since the Mariah Cabot Sirroco, hope I spelled that correctly days.  We have retired to Florida and last weekend I was at a fundraiser representing a small animal sanctuary when I went outside to see the other participants.

I was so thrilled to see a peregrine falcon up close and personal.  It was so much smaller than I had imagined.  It must have been a male.  It had been retired to the bird sanctuary from a traveling bird show because it has a cataract and could no longer hunt.  I was so happy for it, but sad in a way because it was still on display, but then I would never have seen it.  So I had very mixed feelings.

I know that you all will be continuing your wonderful work and helping me stay in touch with "our" falcons, and I thank each and everyone of you for that.

Paula Adwell...jimala

[Shaky]

I was so thrilled to see a peregrine falcon up close and personal.

What a great experience!

And to think it wouldn't have been possible if not for those whose efforts brought the Peregrine Falcon back from the brink of extinction.

[valhalla]

I was so thrilled to see a peregrine falcon up close and personal.

What a great experience!

And to think it wouldn't have been possible if not for those whose efforts brought the Peregrine Falcon back from the brink of extinction.

   

[Donna]

Hello all, this is Paula, jimala, formally from Branchport/Penn Yan area.  I have been watching since the Mariah Cabot Sirroco, hope I spelled that correctly days.  We have retired to Florida and last weekend I was at a fundraiser representing a small animal sanctuary when I went outside to see the other participants.

I was so thrilled to see a peregrine falcon up close and personal.  It was so much smaller than I had imagined.  It must have been a male.  It had been retired to the bird sanctuary from a traveling bird show because it has a cataract and could no longer hunt.  I was so happy for it, but sad in a way because it was still on display, but then I would never have seen it.  So I had very mixed feelings.

I know that you all will be continuing your wonderful work and helping me stay in touch with "our" falcons, and I thank each and everyone of you for that.

Paula Adwell...jimala

Good for you Paula, some day I'll see one also. They are magnificent!

[jeanne]

So glad you had that experience, Paula!  They are magnificent to see up close!  It is sad that this bird is on display but he is alive, taken care of and a true teacher of his species-- such a great thing! 

Females are pretty big!

[Carol P.]

Rhea was the first Peregrine I saw up close and personal.  I was mesmerized by her beauty.  I could not take my eyes off of her.  So I know exactly how you feel Paula.  

[MAK]

Rhea was the first Peregrine I saw up close and personal.  I was mesmerized by her beauty.  I could not take my eyes off of her.  So I know exactly how your feel Paula.   

    Jemison was my first and I will never forget his eyes when he peered out at me from his carrier.    He really touched my soul that morning and he'll always hold a piece of my heart. 

[Donna]

Rhea was the first Peregrine I saw up close and personal.  I was mesmerized by her beauty.  I could not take my eyes off of her.  So I know exactly how your feel Paula.   

    Jemison was my first and I will never forget his eyes when he peered out at me from his carrier.    He really touched my soul that morning and he'll always hold a piece of my heart. 

My first sighting of a Falcon was when I went to Rochester in 2006. It was Fri nite and I was on the Ped Bridge. I didn't see any falcons per say until Marcia L said "would you like to see Kaver?" I said sure. She let me look through the scope to see My Favorite Falcon that was all the way over on the FCT. I was thrilled even though he was far away. I'll never forget!  Thanks Marcia and I'm sure you probably won't remember. 

[jeanne]

My first up close was Seneca.  Lisa M. brought her out to show the falcon watchers after banding (Thank you so much, Lisa)!  I was smitten!  Later that season, Susan B decided to take a walk near parked cars so I saw her after the rescue!  She also landed on the bridge after that and was near Carol, Dan and I.  We kept hearing kakking and realized she was looking around not too far from where we were! 

[Donna]

My first up close was Seneca.  Lisa M. brought her out to show the falcon watchers after banding (Thank you so much, Lisa)!  I was smitten!  Later that season, Susan B decided to take a walk near parked cars so I saw her after the rescue!  She also landed on the bridge after that and was near Carol, Dan and I.  We kept hearing kakking and realized she was looking around not too far from where we were! 

Wasn't there a pic of that jeanne? I remember she was like right next to you!!!

[annieinelkhart]

How cool!  We are talking about our first!  LOL!  Mine was in Cleveland with the Terminal Towers pair at the time, SW and Buckeye!  We got a rare treat of going up to the same floor as the scrape and right outside the windows were the most beautiful PF's with the most intimidating stare!  I will NEVER forget that experience.  I have had interest in these raptors since getting my first PC and finding Mariah and Kaver on line!    My hubby just didn't "get it" but after coming "face to face" up there on that day, he NOW GETS IT! LOL!  There truly is not much that can compare to that first "meeting"!

[jeanne]

My first up close was Seneca.  Lisa M. brought her out to show the falcon watchers after banding (Thank you so much, Lisa)!  I was smitten!  Later that season, Susan B decided to take a walk near parked cars so I saw her after the rescue!  She also landed on the bridge after that and was near Carol, Dan and I.  We kept hearing kakking and realized she was looking around not too far from where we were! 

Wasn't there a pic of that jeanne? I remember she was like right next to you!!!

OMG!  Everytime I tried to get a picture, my camera wouldn't focus!!!!  I do have a picture of Susan B though!  I have to find it!

[Donna]

My first up close was Seneca.  Lisa M. brought her out to show the falcon watchers after banding (Thank you so much, Lisa)!  I was smitten!  Later that season, Susan B decided to take a walk near parked cars so I saw her after the rescue!  She also landed on the bridge after that and was near Carol, Dan and I.  We kept hearing kakking and realized she was looking around not too far from where we were! 

Wasn't there a pic of that jeanne? I remember she was like right next to you!!!

OMG!  Everytime I tried to get a picture, my camera wouldn't focus!!!!  I do have a picture of Susan B though!  I have to find it!

I knew it was one of the falcons that landed next to you on the bridge!

[Joyce]

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.

[Donna]

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.

I remember that too. Great story Joyce!