5280 Peregrine Watch #7

Peter shot all of this video except the close ups of REF's peregrine, on June 26 between 6:00 and 8:00 PM. For those of you curious about the equipment Peter uses, all of the footage was shot with the same camera (Canon SX 60 HS), but the resolution differences result from the density of light on the subject.  Those of you into physics need only remember that the matter composing everything you see is just frozen light!  That's one of the most interesting theories...

Enough of that. The female is perched 30 stories up on the Xcel building. In the video you'll see that the wind is strong, but she's preening herself very fastidiously as she balances on a  cement, steel, and glass cliff in her urban habitat. It's critical for raptors to keep their hunting tools (legs, feet and toes) clean and free of leftover food. At 2:19, she opens her wings and appears to be reacting to something off camera. It could be an approaching hawk in the distance, or perhaps she saw her mate cruising by with food. Yes, apex predators can and do adapt to our cities! The question is: can we adapt to them living with us?

The final image is from the camera which the building owners have placed directly above the nesting area. Two babies were recorded on the camera, and one of the youngsters was assisted by REF's Anne Price in getting back to safety after its first flight ended 16 stories down on the sidewalk.  Thanks to the fire fighters of Denver Fire Department Station #4 for making their building available as a safe site for relocation. HUGE thanks to the Hensel Phelps construction crew for making sure the male fledgling was protected when they saw him land on the sidewalk across from their new building.

See REF's Raptor Chronicles for the full story of the rescue on June 18th; you can subscribe for free on our web site. The story can also be viewed by going to the Raptor Chronicles Archives on our home page: www.usaref.org

P.S.  The two fledglings are not far from home.  They are learning to hunt for themselves by watching their parents. They may periodically return to their nursery. Peter is visiting on a regular basis to see if he can catch them in the "hood" before they migrate south for the winter.  Stay tuned.