Back to Malabar Headland – 2 October 2019

Another day photographing birds and shales out on Malabar Headland. This time I was joined by Jan, a bushwalker and photographer that I had met recently on a bushwalk. He is well known for his orchid photos, and bird photography is a recent new direction.

Jan was keen to see the Peregrine Falcons. On the day – we saw both of the pair and were able to get some good sequences. But, near the carpark, we photographed a Black-faced Cuckooshrike –

And near the National Park entrance we stopped to photograph some Welcome Swallows –

Further out on the headland, we noticed a pod of whales passing by –

And then we spotted one of the Peregrine Falcons. It was probably the female, on guard duty near the nest. It was perched, and we waited for it to take off. The lighting was very poor however – and we were shooting towards the sun.

After a short flight, it landed back at the same perch. Again more waiting for it to take off again.

It did eventually, but away from us. After a short flight it returned to the same spot.

Then another flight. This time I missed the take-off.

Back at the same perch. More waiting with our cameras poised for action.

This time the Falcon flew out to sea. I was watching it with binoculars and saw that it was flying fast, and then suddenly flew up and intersected with a Sea Eagle. It seemed to knock the Eagle with its talons.

I photographed some of the other passing birds – a Gannet and a Kelp Gull.

The Falcon then flew back and landed in the same spot. This time it stayed put for a long time.

Suddenly, the second Peregrine Falcon, the male, appeared. It flew past a few times.

It then started a series of swoops down towards where its mate was perched. It would fly down very fast, swoop past a metre or two away, then circle around and do a repeat. It did this at least a half dozen times. The female stayed on the ledge all the time.

Then, with probably bad timing, a Sea Eagle flew overhead. It passed over and continued on along the cliffs.

It then turned and started to fly back. But it soon changed its mind.

Now, both Falcons took off and flew towards the Sea Eagle. The Sea Eagle didn’t wait around and flew out of sight.

Then an amazing spectacle took place as both Peregrine Falcons performed some aerial ballet.

Perhaps this was part of their courtship? And the same for the earlier swoops of the male? It was certainly interesting to witness this. Both birds then flew out of sight.

It was time for us to head back. On the way back, Jan spotted a nice patch of Sleek Onion Orchids (Microtis parviflora)

And some more flowers –

Near Magic Point, I saw one of the Peregrine Falcons flying back towards their nest. This time it had some prey.

A few more birds on the way out. A Superb Fairywren –

And a pair of Figbirds –

Before walking the last bit to the bus stop, we had put our cameras away, when we spotted a Crested Pigeon doing an amazing display. It was doing a display dance, like a bird of paradise. By the time we got our cameras out, it had stopped.