Snap-shots Act 07

Posted in Brown FalconTagged

By the end of three weeks on the wing, Mary and Max were both proficient hunters and highly skilled aeronauts.
They felt at ease to roam across the wider area outside the ‘home’ paddock that was bordered on three sides by old stands for trees and beach front on the fourth. The grasshoppers and crickets were in abundance so they could spend their days eating, and snoozing. The adults no longer were providing food, but from several encounters I am sure that the female was keeping a falcon-eyed gaze on her offspring even if we failed to spot her.

They were old enough now to be self-sufficient, and still young enough not to take it all seriously. Here’s a few from what we were graced to enjoy.

Falcons swallow prey whole, and the regurgitate any of the indigestible bits.
Mary had hawked up a furball and shook her head to remove the fluids.
Close order flying was quite common.
She had been working over a bracken paddock and slipped past me
on return to the home treeline
A trip to the beach. An open area ran along the saltbush
and scrub by the edge of the beach.
It gave the birds good vantage points to take it all in.
As soon as I saw this moment with Max through the viewfinder,
I knew I’d be making it into a mounted wall print.
They both seemed to enjoy scampering along the roofline of
the old stable building
Mary decided the guttering of the stable would make a suitable spot for a snooze.
She just had trouble fitting the wing in.
Max on the other hand chose to rest in the sunshine on the wide warm grass.
Then it was back to work
There is something unnerving about watching a Falcon running at high speed
toward you and getting larger and larger in the frame.
I’ve mentioned before about their relaxed and unhindered behaviour
when we were around.
Here, Mary flew in to sit on the top of a out-building and preen.
A hunting we go!
I had decided to stand near the base of one of two old agave (100 year old plant)
as Max was hunting around the second one.
But to my surprise, and pleasure, he decided to choose the one I was near.

Enjoy

3 thoughts on “Snap-shots Act 07”

  1. So wonderful to view these images, David!

    Your work with Mary and Max is impressive!

    And I can see why you want the ‘Moment With Max’ portrait on the wall!

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  2. It’s so good to revisit these moments in Mary’s and Max’s lives as they developed their skills. And yes, that shot of Max in the tree is one to hang on the wall! Thanks again for sharing the experience with us.

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  3. Wonderful series David to see them trusting you up close. You earned that right with your persistence in being present as they grew. I do love the shot of Max running toward you, that would have raised some concern. What did he do after that ? Glad you are getting some nice birding weather, we are not so blessed, we can not trust the weather reports it is bizarre at times.

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