image-de-beaute

This majestic bird of prey was photographed at a location in Dorset.

See the slide show or read on!!

It was a bright summer's morning, perfect for walking the cliffs, equipped with camera in the hope of getting some great sea bird shots. Coming across a Peregrine Falcon was the last of my expectations.
At five in the mourning I set out on my mission to try and get a chance of bagging some sea bird photographs for my library. The sky was clear, the light was fantastic, and so I set of with a lot of enthusiasm. As you can imagine there was no one else on the cliffs, all was calm, which is why I love to walk at this time of the morning.
The seagulls where flying above the cliffs, the young squawking for their parents to bring the fish they clearly expected for breakfast. In their natural environment I think seagulls are one of the most majestic of sea bids.
Following the foot path close to the cliff edge, I would occasionally stop to see if there was a photo opportunity to be had. Cormorants, Shags, and numerous other sea birds, which I am sorry to say I have no knowledge off, had colonised every ledge which was available. Each one with a brood of chicks carefully guarded by an ever watchful parent.
I looked to my left at a new spot, I was looking straight at a Peregrine Falcon hen. My heart skipped a beat, the excitement was palpable as I froze in my tracks. She sat there perfectly calm, although I could tell my every move was being watched. Peregrine Falcons have phenomenal eye sight and are the fastest bird in flight.
Luckily I had a balanced 300mm lens on my camera, hoping for just one shot I slowly raised my camera, focused and fired. or at least that was what it sounded like. The mirror banged up with an explosion of sound in the still morning air, the shutter clattered open and then slammed shut. I cursed something about SLR's as I lowered the camera, it also occurred to me that I hadn't taken the time to check my exposure.
Expecting to see the falcon disappearing into the distance I was absolutely amazed to see her still sat there. She had a haughty poise, her yellow eye firmly fixed on me but non-plused all the same. This was my opportunity to check my exposure and take some more shots from where I stood. It soon became clear that the lady was not one bit perturbed by the bothersome paparazzi and regally treated me with the contempt I deserved. Like most keen photographers I took this as permission to approach closer, there was no point in taking any more photo's from where I stood so drastic action was required.
I dumped my back pack and all other encumbrances, lowered myself onto my belly and slowly wriggled forward, commando style. Why I bothered I don't know, the subject new all along I was there and if birds could smile I am sure she would have been grinning from ear to ear. Having gained some ground I was now close enough to take some fantastic shots. After firing of a few volleys, the mirror and shutter producing nuclear type explosions each time, I gained the confidence to stand up in her majesty's presence. As I lifted the camera the, obviously affronted monarch, took flight. With a growing sense of disappointment and loss, I watched her soar gracefully in to the air. Wheeling to the right she suddenly descended at lightning speed across the cliff face.
To my absolute amazement, she had descended onto a ledge just below an overhang near the top of the cliff. There was a natural loop in the cliff, affording me a clear view from an absolutely safe position.
The chicks came bouncing out from the cave, in which they had been hiding, to welcome their mum. There was clearly a lot of excitement, as if they hadn't seen her for ages and where expecting a present of some sort. After a lot of squawking and clearly demanding cries, mum flew of probably to get some respite I thought. The chicks, having been so excited continued to preen and cavort around the nest site. Exploring the near by clump of grass. Continuously taking shots from my advantage point, I reflected on the fact that although all the other sea bird families had a permanent guarding parent, the Peregrine did not seem to have any such worries. No sign of the ever present seagulls here, as they where in the other communities on the cliff face, clearly looking hungrily at the cormorant chicks and awaiting a chance to snatch one for breakfast. You don't have to travel to the Serengeti to see the vagaries and dangers of the natural world. Happen all over our own country as well.
She swooped in at breakneck speed, her talons stretching below her, a bird firmly in there fatal grasp. Mum had returned with breakfast, imagine my absolute pleasure, being witness to this early morning banquet. I watched in delight as mum tore chunks from the carcass, feeding each frenzied chick with a lump of meat. It was all over in seconds and then off she flew, probably to get another feed for the chicks.
Eventually the sound of voices started to drift across the downs, I decided it was time to depart being careful not to attract any unnecessary attention to my new found family. Sitting in a near by cafe I excitedly related my story to the customer sat opposite, who was a local chap. "She be here for a few years now", he drawled, "catches exhausted racing pigeons returning from France". I don't know if this is true but I can imagine one of our most graceful, fascinating and regal birds of prey being able to work this one out!!!!
As an aside I returned to the spot two weeks later, with an even bigger lens, to see all three chicks performing acrobatics in the air. Squawking and diving at each other, practising for the day that they too, will become
such majestic hunters. You can imagine my absolute pleasure.
How well I will have to wait, for my super close up shots of Peregrine chicks........See the album.