This was a good day…. eventually. It started off quiet and then the Peregrine Falcons appeared.
I expected the main photographic subjects to be whales passing by, and that was how the day started off. As I walked out, near Magic Point, I observed a pod of Humpback Whales.
They were a long way out, and not doing too much. When I reached the area where the Peregrine Falcons nest, there was no sign of them. Some other visitors were looking down at the sea below and pointed out a seal. It seemed to be asleep.
I first saw a Peregrine Falcon fly past around 12:15 pm.
It flew in and settled on a ledge.
Here is a passing Gannet –
And here is the Peregrine Falcon on its ledge –
The seal was still around.
Then, just before 2 pm, a second Peregrine Falcon flew past.
It didn’t seem to stay around.
Another Gannet –
And the waves were big!
Just before 3 pm, one of the Peregrine Falcon flew to another ledge. She (and it was a female as you will see) started calling out gently.
I have seen this behaviour before. It wanted to be mated. It was soon joined by the male.
The mating took 7 seconds according to my photos.
The male is very gentle with its talons.
They soon separate.
About 13 minutes later, the female starts calling again.
Again, the male answer the call.
And this mating also took 7 seconds.
I stayed watching and thought that the female wanted more. it briefly called again, but this time the male did not answer. It may not have been around. The the female Peregrine Falcon flew off.
Here is a passing Pied Cormorant –
I started slowly walking back to Maroubra.
Juts after taking the above photo of magic Point, one of the Peregrine Falcons flew past at high speed and low down. It looked like it was hunting.
Here is one of the many New Holland Honeyeaters –
It turned out to be an interesting day. I did see about 6 pods of whales – but all cruising past quietly and a fair way off shore. I only saw one whale breach – and only single breach. I also saw some very distant dolphins. But it was very special to see the pair of Peregrine Falcon have united again for the breeding season and renewed their bonds.