This was an afternoon visit to the headland with Valerie. This time we walked in from Malabar. The weather was fine and sunny, warm at first but it later became quite cool – with a fresh breeze.
The Peregrine Falcons were partly active – we saw both of them flying around their cliffs – but only one at a time. So I think they are now nesting, and at any time, one of the pair is incubating eggs.
On the walk out, we saw some nice wild flowers.
Tea Tree
And we finally spotted a Sun Orchid. It was not fully open, but for the past few seasons, we have seen plenty of these – but either just buds, or as fertilised flowers – and closed back up. I think these flowers only appear for a short time.
I think this might be Philotheca sp.
When we reached the cliffs, we soon spotted a Peregrine Falcon. It flew in landed on a ledge out of our sight. Shortly after, it flew to a visible spot. It was a fair way off and I grabbed a few photos before we walked closer to that spot. On the way, it flew off, and we didn’t know which way it had gone. But, later, looking at the photo, I could see it had prey – a Rainbow Lorikeet.
Perhaps it had taken the prey to feed its mate? If so, it was likely to be the male.
We saw a few whales passing – and they were all going south.
Then, a Peregrine Falcon flew past. It was the male, and it had a small amount of prey in its talons.
While we were waiting, we watched this Australasian Gannet dive for a fish –
But it pulls out of its dive.
Then a Peregrine Falcon appeared.
It was the female.
Another passing whale – going south.
And this time it was the male Peregrine Falcon that flew around for a while.
One more whale.
And a last appearance of the Peregrine Falcon.
Just was we started to walk out, we spotted a very distant breeching whale –
And a New Holland Honeyeater
Thanks to Valerie for company out on the headland, and for a lift out and back. It had been a good afternoon.