Day: July 20, 2026

I started this series with a quote from Jon Young from What the Robin Knows.
Thought it was fitting to use another quote for the last of the series

Jon Young says, “There is nothing random about a bird’s awareness and behaviour. They have too much at stake…. Being tuned into the tapestry…. we are venturing into a realm of awareness, and intention and curiosity. I’ve had some magical experiences in the natural world, and some of them have involved birds.”

In a previous blog post from 2019, I wrote:

Browns, broach no interference in this serious business of nesting. Standing around (with a camera) in their work space is not taken kindly. So having worked out where she had settled and where the action was taking place, I’ve made a wide berth of the spot.   I also know, from past experience, that if all is well, and I don’t press the boundaries, respect their business and keep to my side of the line, that eventually the line will become narrower, and I’ll be able to see just a little more. Then sometimes the bird graces us with the chance to enter into its world, and while I might not have free access, at least I’m treated benignly.

What worries me about sharing this is that some will drag out the ‘Photographers Code of Practice”, or some such and berate me for my impertinence.   However if I’m not invited, I don’t go.

Someone will ask ‘How do you know?”
To which I have to respond honestly, “Why don’t you go out and sit with a bird and find out for yourself.”  Operative point of that is— ‘sit with the bird’.

Every interaction we have had over the course of the 7-8 weeks with these two young Falcons has been on their terms.

In the last week it was obvious that they were now ready to move on from home territory.
We didn’t see any badgering by the adults to move them on. In fact the adults, for all intents had already moved off to their post-season quarters. I’m not even sure if they form monogamous bonds or simply come back with a new mate. Or find a new mate and territory.

One morning as we walked into the area, I spotted both Max and Mary sitting together in the sunshine. Suddenly he dropped, in that long gliding, slow controlled-descent that is a hallmark of Browns.
He hit the ground, and immediately began to mantle over a catch, and set up a loud long call.
And he sat.
His calls became more intense and I began to wonder if he was in trouble.
I had also invited a friend to venture in with us, and he moved off to one side for a better view.
Max was bewildered I think. Two humans he can handle. Three!!!
So before I could work out how to handle this new development, Max raised up. Lifted his wings and began to take-off… Carrying… A rabbit.
Now, you’d be forgiven for thinking that such a prize might be a struggle for a juvenile Brown Falcon, but. No.
Max could handle it quite capably, but he was also unsure of the added interest he’d managed to attract and he only flew about 50m and settled into the grass against a fence, mantled, and continued his loud call.
Leaving him in peace we moved away. Hard, when you have visitors, to just sit quietly.
And watch.

About 20 minutes later I got a text from EE. “He’s airborne”. Hurrying back, I found that he had stashed the rabbit in a nearby stump. And looking very pleased with himself. EE had managed to score some shots of his progress across the paddock.

The next few days saw them hunting further out of the home area. And then one morning, in-spite of our searching, not a wing flap or a feather was to be seen.

The Time Had Come.

Fly well Max and Mary and thanks for gracing our lives with your presence.

Enjoy