Peregrines Over the Palisades
Back in 2016, I was told that a peregrine falcon nest existed only 15 minutes from my home town. Of course, I convinced my Dad to drive me over there and I was not disappointed. The nest itself is safely located hundreds of feet below the cliff edge, but the adults frequent many snags and rocks over looking the valley below. I caught a glimpse of both the adult male and female falcons on that day. It was one of the rare times I’ve seen them sitting side by side. Since then, I’ve made it a point to visit as often as I can, especially during fall migration and the nesting season. I saw my first fledglings in 2018, and then returned around the same time in 2019 to get better looks. that year, they fledged three chicks who lingered around the area for many weeks. It was quite a show, and although they’ve had successful nests in most following years, it was never quite as photogenic as 2019. That was until the 2024 season. Once again, they fledged three chicks, and while I was away for the first week, I made a few trips over to see them for myself. I’m very fortunate to live so close to these birds. I almost take their presence for granted, which is not the best way to view things. Nature is always changing, and these birds may not nest at this location forever. The male has already outlived two mates. For that reason, it’s better to make the most of things and to visit as frequently as I can. At the end of the day, you can never have too many Peregrine Falcon photos. Now, for the images at hand.
A few days after returning from a trip to New Hampshire, I took a drive over to check on the falcons. While the birds are not always present, if they are, there will likely be a photographer or two with a visual on them. This evening was no exception. I find a visit to this spot to be both a photography outing and a social one. There’s always a familiar face or two to catch up with while waiting for the birds to do something. The problem is, you’re often chatting when the birds do that something you’ve been waiting for. In this case, one of the young birds was perched atop a favorite lookout of the adults. While these fledglings were gaining more and more experience flying, their hunting skills were still lacking. What do you do when you’re not able to fend for yourself? Wait for mom or dad to return with dinner of course!
Dad obliged and came soaring in with what was left of a mourning dove. The chicken of the peregrine diet. This led to a frenzy of wings and talons. All three youngsters came in for their share at the same time. Unfortunately, one chick was larger than the other two, likely a female, and made off with the catch this time. The smaller two perched side by side and kept glaring down at their sibling. Tired of the same shot of the same birds on the same perch, I walk around to look for a different angle. With a little contortion of the back and legs, I managed to find a view through some foliage that made for a nice hi-key image. This is something I enjoy experimenting with, as I feel it gives off a painterly vibe. This worked out especially having two birds in the same frame. To make matters even better, they both looked back at their sibling at the same time, as seen in the image below.
Nikon Z9 with the NIKKOR 500mm f/4E VR @ 1/640 - f/4 - ISO 1250
Later that evening, the distribution of food continued, and these two ended up playing a game of tug-o-war over the scraps. I didn’t catch the right head angle, but once the victor began eating, the other two chicks flew off to different perches. They were likely looking for mom or dad and with them, more food. One flew out of site, but the other landed in a spot I’d never photographed before. A feat I had once thought impossible, but then again, someone had spotted one of the fledglings sitting right on the trail for a few hours earlier in the season. You never know what you may see, so it’s always worth visiting the same locations time and time again. This is especially true when dealing with falcons. Again, you can never have too many photos of Peregrine Falcons. The aforementioned spot was a scraggly, twisted branch growing out of the cliffs. It can be seen clearly from one vantage point, and more easily closer to the cliff edge. Not a smart move to get close, as accidents happen, and it’s illegal at this particular park. On this perch, the lone chick called, preened, and simply rested.
Nikon Z9 with the NIKKOR 500mm f/4E VR @ 1/800 - f/4 - ISO 2000
Later that week, I returned. At this point, the falcons were very capable hunters, at least where butterflies and dragonflies are concerned. All three still relied on their parents for sustenance, but were learning fast. They tended to spend most of their time in the skies, practicing maneuvers and chasing passing birds. Black vultures were among their favorite quarry, though ravens and osprey were all fair game. One could almost assume they could fend for themselves, but as soon as mom flew in with a meal, they went right back to beating each other up and screeching like banshees. The bigger chick, presumably a female, was quicker to the draw as per usual. She picked her spot to feed while her little siblings sat on a nearby escarpment and waited. While waiting, one of the little ones landed high on the cliffs right of the trail. The best view of this bird was through a low hanging tree draped over the cliff edge. I slowly approached the side of the trail to get a better view of the bird. Shooting through the leaves resulted in some foreground blur that i always feels adds a little depth to an image.
Nikon Z9 with the NIKKOR 500mm f/4E VR @ 1/1250 - f/4 - ISO 2000
