I am talking about the speedy Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus), as I could always only get him on camera in a seating position. So, for a long time it was my challenge to get it in flight.
Beautiful isn't he? This is the bird that holds the world record for the fastest dive of all birds, at +300 kph.
The birds in this post are all indigent in South Africa and as far as I know, they don't migrate to warmer countries during the winter. The peregrine's flight is dashing and direct, and they hunt from the mountains in our area. Snakes, rodents, and other small animals are what they feed on, and they are great pest hunters.
Then I also have some Jackal Buzzards, in the post to show you.
So, come and see.
Although I only got three pictures of him, you can believe that I was very happy to get even one picture of him in flight.
And then he was gone, but this I know, I now don't have to dream about getting him in flight anymore.
There were also another three customers in the air. They were all Jackal Buzzards (Buteo rufofuscus).
I saw them coming in far away and they soon split up.
So, I got each one separately as they flew in different directions. Number 1 gave me the best show and below are 3 photos of him.
Here was number 2 that flew towards the north.
And finally number 3 flew in a north-westerly direction.
I so often say that every day is not the same, and in this area it is so true. As on some days, there are none of these birds to be found anywhere, and one can, on those days, only concentrate on small birds and other interesting stuff in nature. On other days, like this day, there is a surfeit of birds out hunting. I know what causes this, as we are having a lot of rainy days, and after the rains the birds need to eat, so the predators know that, and they also know that there is now new small spring life around, so the food is plentiful.
For instance, last week we saw a yellow-billed duck with six tiny ducklings, but yesterday there were only two of the little ones left. All of the rest taken by predators.
Such is life.
I hope you have enjoyed the story and the pictures.
And That's All Friends.
Photos by Zac Smith-All Rights Reserved.
Camera: Canon Powershot SX70HS Bridge camera.
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