Peregrine Falcon Fledglings, Part 2

I couldn't resist going back to the Torrey Pine State Beach to see the Peregrine Falcon fledglings again. When the fledglings are in flight, observing their mock fights and amazing aerial skills is one of the most exciting things you will see at this beautiful birding site.

As you walk from the parking area to the first ocean lookout on the Guy Fleming Trail, you are treated to a fantastic view. This shot is looking north.

The first sighting of the fledglings as I approached the bluffs was all three Peregrine youngsters in flight calling and challenging each other in mock combat!

Quite an adrenaline rush. 

 

Shadowing your sibling is fun!

The one in front puts on the gas and disappears but the one on the right decides to land  on the bluff for a little rest stop .

Herb, Dee Dee and I found the youngster sitting on a log near the bluff top. We approached him quietly and talked soothingly to him as we snapped away. Herb joked and asked Dee Dee and I why we needed to take so many photos. We both laughed and said because he is so darn cute and adorable! And Eve was laughing at us as we talked in soothing tones to keep the fledgling from spooking as we snapped lots and lots of close-ups of this beauty.

Here is a shot taken by Eve on her cell phone of the photographers taking photos of the Peregrine fledgling on the bluff. Dee Dee on the right, Herb in the middle and that's me on the left of the photo. The fledgling is sitting on the log to the far right giving us a wonderful photo op!

He is listening to Dee Dee tell him how beautiful he is and cooing at him in loving tones. 

 So adorable!

Close up of the side view. 

 Frontal. 

Coming closer.

Eye to eye. 

 His right side profile. 

 

One last look and we leave him to join his siblings for more fun in the sky.

Another fledgling flies by.

Beautiful sight!

One comes in for a landing.

 Vocalizing.

 Looks at the old cactus stump as if it is something to attack.

Attacking the stump.

Looking to see if will attack him back.

Are you sure it's not going to attack?

Surely there's something else to attack.

Tippy toe through the cactus.

Moving swiftly through the greenery.

Grabbing a mock prey object...

Oh no! It's a Cholla Cactus in his talons!  They are also known as jumping cactus. 

Cholla Cactus almost appears to be mocking him, "Hey come back, there's more of us over here and we want to play too!"

Not a good toy for this young Peregrine to play with. He appears startled and leaps awkwardly up.

 A close-up of the Cholla Cactus in his talons.

 The fledgling flings the cactus away from himself. 

But the large spine of the cactus appears to be stuck in his talon.

You can hear his agitated calls. 

 You can see the cactus spine stuck on his right talon.

He bends forward and appears to be trying to pull the cactus spine out with his beak as he glides in front of the bluffs. 

Got it! It appears that he has pulled the cactus barb out of his talon. 

 I can see the cactus in his beak.

He flicks the cactus spine off his face and is on his way. Hope he has learned a good lesson today to stay away for those Cholla Cactus because that is one prey toy that will bite back!

Time for more mock fighting. 

Kak,Kak, Kak, Kaaak...

 Lots of calls...

He stalls in front of me just long enough for me to get a few shots. 

 What a gorgeous raptor!

More Kak!! Kak, Kak!!

 Vocalizing, he banks to his right. 

Flies off and comes back still calling out.

Glides overhead. 

 And I get an under-shot as he flies past. 

Another one zooms by and I am snapping away but this is all I get. Camera focusing on his wing tips. 

Another flyby and now a shot of his tail. 

 

Lol, my last shot and it's the most appropriate shot of a raptor... beautiful talons caught in flight as the Peregrine fledgling flies past way too close for my 400mm. What a fantastic morning it has been watching the young Peregrine Falcons mock fight and practice their flying skills around the bluffs of the Torrey Pine State Beach. I am already looking forward to next season as I leave this beautiful area and head for home. 

Have a beautiful weekend everyone!