We arrived @ 9 with our binoculars & cameras ready. Several watchers were already either by the parking lot below Kodak or on the bridge (most on the bridge) We learned that Mariah was thought to be on the High Falls tower with some food. On the bridge we saw Jim P. and other watchers. We discovered that a fledgling was on the Brewery building, one on the Bee Bee Station, 2 in the shady trees by the gorge and Kaver was in a crevice on the gorge wall below the east observation deck. It was quiet at first and then between 9:30 and 10:45, there was much flying and playing in the gorge area. Several time, there were low fly-overs over the bridge (and our heads) which was quite exciting. It seemed at one point Mariah was teaching one of the girls how to soar and use the wind currents to stay in the air. The fledging eventually trusted what her mother was teaching her and began to soar as well (lots of effort to flap all of the time!!)

About 9:45, Grace was identified on a dead branch on the gorge wall near the bridge – wonderful photo opportunities for all. Around 10, one of the fledglings came from the shady tree and went after a kingfisher on the north side of the bridge – no success – so returned to the gorge wall near the shady tree. Dana was now on the bridge with walkie-talkie link to Lou on the observation deck. Jon & I strolled over to chat with Lou. We saw a couple of rabbits along the way. While on the observation deck, there were many gulls that began soaring around the falls area. Seemed like a hundred or so. Many more than I have seen there in the past.

Back on the bridge by 10:40, we introduced ourselves to other watchers – including Joyce, Paul, Suzanne, Don and John. Marcia had also joined us. Carol P came along about 11:15. We did identify Linn on a railing on the Brewery building and another fledging on the Bee Bee station (north building). Since it became quiet in the air, we looked around at the other wildlife here. Great Blue Herons in the river below the bridge, turkeys on the west lawn and various songbirds fluttering about. It was a beautiful start to our day. We’ll be back again next Sunday for our 9 am – noon watch.

Joni & Jon

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