I was keen to make another visit to the Northern Beaches cliffs to get more photographs of the juvenile Peregrine Falcons. I travelled up and was soon on the cliffs. The three juvenile Peregrine Falcons were quite active during my visit – which was from about 9:45 am to 1:30 pm.
I was particularly after photos of two or more of the juvenile Peregrines interacting – flying close together, swooping at each other, interlocking talons and spinning around at high speed in mid air. It is truly amazing to witness their aerial displays.
When I arrived on the cliffs, I saw a number of other bird photographers, and they had spotted two of the juveniles resting on a ledge.
Then an adult cruised past. It seemed to leave the area – perhaps to hunt for food.
One of the two juveniles took off.
The second gave signs that it was about to fly.
And further along the cliffs, the three juveniles were resting on ledges close together.
One was calling out. I think it was hungry!
The two on the higher level must have been tired.
And they were quite affectionate to each other.
The one that had been calling had gone out of sight, when it suddenly took off for a short flight. I missed their take-off, but got some nice photos of it landing.
And then another take-off.
One of the others decided to take-off.
One had landed in this rather scrubby spot.
Then two were flying –
It was time for the third one to join its two siblings. I was surprised to see this one had been banded. Talking to other bird photographs, they told me, it had either been weak or crashed and was found be fisherman on the rock platform below. It was then taken to a vet, fixed up, banded and returned. It seems to have bonded again with its siblings and parents.
Often the juveniles would land in this palm –
It was not always an easy place to take-off from.
This was rather a poor take-off.
It seems to be hard to get all three flying and in the same photo.
So plenty of action during my visit – but also some periods where you are waiting for them to do something. But when they do fly – it is an incredible privilege to witness their flying skills.