This was another interesting day spent out on Malabar Healdand. Again, my main motivation was to photograph the juvenile Peregrine Falcons while they are still close to their nest area.
In particular I was after photos of two or three of the juvenile Peregrine Falcons interacting in the air. I thought this may become less likely the older the chicks get. When I reached the nest area, I spotted two of the chicks. One was on a lower ledge, the other was higher up. I waited for it to take-off.
It then did some manoeuvres with one of its siblings.
They then flew out of the area – towards Boora Point. Meanwhile, I saw two jet skiers below. They powered through a large group of birds (mainly Silver Gulls) that were floating on the sea near a big bait ball of fish. The birds took off, flew around a bit then settled back down. One of the jest skiers tried around and went right through the middle of them! He then resumed his journey. A shame.
I made my way to Boora Point, I soon spotted the Peregrine Falcon chicks.
Meanwhile an old biplane flew past.
Back to the Peregrine Falcons. All three were on one ledge, but was acting a bit secretive.
One of its siblings went over for a look.
It was eating some food. The sibling then started making its way along the ledge to the third chick.
It drove the third chick off the ledge.
It must have thought it had a better chance of getting some of he food, if its sibling was not there. It was right. It soon had a piece of the food.
While they were busy eating, the third one shoppe din a grabbed a bit.
And then flew off with it.
It later returned, but I think it was all gone by that stage.
One of then did some nice flying –
Nest, an interesting thing happened. One of the chicks perched on the roof of an old observation post. It then started opening and closing its mouth. It did this many times.
I think it must have been trying to catch flies (which there were plenty). It then took-off –
Nice flying, but then a sudden turn.
One of its siblings was joining in.
Now there were all three in the air. Nice!
I spotted a distant Sea Eagle. It seems to have some prey.
The Peregrine Falcons spotted it too. At least two of them flew after it.
The Sea Eagle dropped its prey. It looked like it had a Shearwater like one a few days before.
The Falcons flew back.
They then resumed their flying together.
I was very fortunate to witness this superb display of aerial acrobatics. It was time for me to head home – but I decided to return the nest day.