Another visit to Malabar Headland to photograph the Peregrine Falcon family. This day started off fairly quiet and remained reasonable quite for most of the time I was there. I did not see that much of any of the Peregrine Falcons, but when I did see them, I was able to take quite a few photos. I also had some good whale and dolphin encounters.
The weather forecast was for it to be windy, but out on the headland the wind was not too bad. I arrived near Boora Point around 10:30 am and it stayed quite quiet for the first 40 minutes or so. I could not spot any of the falcons in their usual perches on the cliffs. Then a pod of dolphins went past.
Around 11:30 am I saw a distant adult Peregrine Falcon flying away from the area. It looked like it may be heading off to hunt.
And then I had to wait about another hour for a first glimpse of the juvenile Peregrine Falcon. I was having lunch at Boora Point and I saw it flash past the cliffs. I was able to get a few photos of it flying.
Then I did not see it till about 2:25 pm when I spotted it again flying below the cliffs. This time it was around for about 3 minutes. I was able to get some photos.
Then it disappeared. I probably landed on the cliffs somewhere out of sight. In looking around the cliffs I spotted the Red-bellied Black Snake back out.
About 2:40 pm I spotted the juvenile Peregrine falcon perched on the clifftop near Boora Point. I was able to get reasonable close without disturbing it.
It then flew down to lower ledge. These juvenile birds often give no warning they are about to take-off. I watched it on the lower ledge. All of a sudden it seemed to get angry.
It suddenly took off and flew at high speed out to sea.
It flew so far out that I lost sight of it, but a few minutes later, I saw a White-bellied Sea Eagle flying back towards land from that direction. I assumed the juvenile Falcon had take non the Sea Eagle.
I ddi not see the juvenile Falcon return. While watching for it I did see a Humpback Whale breeching. I pointed my camera towards that direction and witnessed about ten minutes of amazing whale action. Lots of breeching.
It was a pod of whales and it was probably my best whale encounter of the season. They were a fair way out and even with a telephoto lens the photos are cropped substantially.
I then headed back to Malabar. On my way, I spotted a Black-shouldered Kite hovering near the track hunting for food.
It did come closer and lower at one point, but was obscured by bushes.