With two Peregrine Falcon chicks now at Malabar Headland National Park, I have stepped up my visits. They won’t be around for long, as they are fast learners, and now is the time to get photographs of them in flight. And in particular, I wanted photographs of the two chicks flying together. They perform soma amazing flying routines and it is really special being able to witness this, and its a bonus to take some photos.
I arrived around 9 am at their nesting site, and soon located one of the juveniles on a ledge. I waited around to see if it would take off.
While I was waiting, I spotted one of its parents fly past.
Not long after, the juvenile took off.
It made some circuits and then landed on the same ledge.
I spotted another Falcon perched further along the cliffs.
A parent flew past again.
Off in the far distance, I spotted two raptors flying together. I though at first they may be the second chick and the other parent. But no – they are two Brown Goshawks.
Back to the Peregrine Falcons. The juvenile was taking a rest –
Then one of the parents flew past at high speed.
And the second juvenile turned up.
The first juvenile took off to join its sibling. The flying show had begun!
One landed for a rest.
But not for long. It soon took off again.
One of the parents was on guard duty – perched on the top of a nearby building.
The two juveniles resumed their amazing flying display.
Then they both landed.
One took-off soon after, but the second was more hesitant.
It decided it first needed a drink.
And then a bit more hesitancy. This seems common for these young birds.
The parent on guard duty dod not seem too worried.
I left in the early afternoon. It had been a very good visit.
From the photos, a reader may think it is all non stop action. It is far from that. The juveniles only fly for a few minutes very hour or so, and you need to be ready with you camera to record the action. And some time they perform their flying routines a long way from where you are. As they grow bigger and increase their flying skills they range over more country, and they can land a fair way away and then time is needed to locate them. On this visit, I arrived around 9 am then had to wait not that long for the first juvenile to take off at 9:18 am. The second juvenile arrived at 10:36, and the first flying show lasted about a minute – around 10:44 am. The second flying show lasted longer – from 10:55 am to 10:58 am.
Thank you very much for wonderful photos. The timetable is also helpful. Now I duly understand I need to stay at a place, patiently waiting for dramas by falcons.
It’s a pity Malabar Headland is closed in most of the weekends. It is pretty crowded on the Sundays when it is open. I wish I could visit there on a quieter weekday!