Another interesting and rewarding day spent out on Malabar Headland.
Again the main focus was photographing the juvenile Peregrine Falcons, but there were also Sea Eagles around. When I was walking out to the headland from Maroubra, I spotted a Sea Eagle being harassed by some Ravens.
It slowly circled around.
When I reached the usual Peregrine Falcon area, I soon spotted one of the juvenile Falcons perched on a ledge.
It took a long time to take-off. This requires patient waiting and also being alert. The juveniles don’t seem to give many warning signs that they are about to fly.
And then some nice flying.
It then landed on a higher ledge.
Then one of the adult Peregrine Falcons flew past.
I think this one, the female, remains in the area to guard the juveniles. I then started a long wait for the juvenile to take-off.
One of its siblings appeared and landed on the top of the cliffs. Now I had two subjects, but which one to point the camera at? It was not clear which one would take-off first.
A tern flew past.
But still no flying from the Peregrine Falcon.
One of its siblings flew past at high speed, but this didn’t provoke it into taking off.
This one moved and stretched its wings – good signs that it is about to take-off, but not this time.
One of the siblings was flying past though.
At this stage, three other bird photographers had arrived, and we all waited patiently for some take-off photos. After a while I was restless, so went on a bit of a walk towards magic Point. Here is a wasp I spotted –
I saw some Peregrine Falcons flying back near Boora Point, so made my way back. One of the juveniles was on top of the cliffs.
Some Great Cormorants flew past.
The juvenile falcon gave clear signs it was about to take off. Our cameras were ready. But it took off away from us.
By this time, it was time to head home.