This is something you don't see everyday or at least I don't. I was driving down E. Ridge Rd. in Irondequoit, looking for Peregrines. Up ahead I noticed a bunch of Crows, harrassing something very low. Hmmmm. Imagine my surprise as I drove by the Wendy's parking lot and spotted this beauty sitting on top of a car.
I turned at the next light and into the parking lot. The Crows continued their attack. I watched as the Red-tailed Hawk attempted to take off, landing on a car waiting in the take-out line. Again the RTH took off and this time landed on a nearby light pole.
The Crows were relentless. The RTH flew from spot to spot until finally the Crows left.
S/he seemed ok, flying strongly with no visible injuries. I went on my way continuing my Peregrine Search.
Success! After driving around downtown Rochester, NY, I finally found what I was looking for. A Peregrine Falcon was sitting on top of the HSBC Bldg, SW corner. I assumed this was Beauty. Dana joined me.
Beauty watched intently as the Pigeons flew in waves below her.
After awhile, Beauty took off, folded back her wings and whoosh! Did you know that Peregrines were REALLY fast? LOL ;-) She sped by, heading towards a roof full of Pigeons on a nearby church.
Dana and I watched as Beauty chased the Pigeons around west of where we stood. She gave up and headed back towards the Times Square Bldg. We followed of course.
The Pigeons settled back on the church roof.
Dana called to say that she found Beauty sitting on her favorite perch, Mercury's outstretched right hand. Like the angle? Mercury's not really tipping over, promise. :-)
Beauty on Mercury. By this time, I was frozen. The temps were in the single digits and it was COLD! Marcia had joined us. I said my goodbyes and headed home.
On the way home, I decided to drive along the lake. On Edgemere Dr, just west of Russell Station, I spotted a Merlin enjoying dinner. I was losing light and I was facing the sun, so the following pictures aren't very good, but you get the idea.
Oops, sorry, should have posted an icky alert. I love the eyebrows on this little one.
Watson! The games afoot!
It was time for me to leave my little friend. S/he waved goodbye as I pulled away. Ok, maybe s/he really had an itch. This Merlin was very heavily streaked, but I've been told that the juvies and females look very much alike, so I'm not sure if this was a juvenile or not.
