Peregrine Falcon on a winter morningPeregrine Falcon on a winter morning – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, ISO 250, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

I was able to get out into the field yesterday morning for a couple of hours and it felt marvelous to see clear skies, the sun, the mountains and a few birds.

My best find of the day was a Peregrine Falcon in the snow perched on a colorful boulder with a snowy background. Although the light angle wasn’t the best to get light in both eyes of the falcon I am still happy with the way these images turned out.

Head on look from a Peregrine FalconHead on look from a Peregrine Falcon – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1000, ISO 250, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

I find falcons in general to be spectacular looking birds and this one was no exception. Because it was so cold, 8°F at the time, the falcon was stickier than it might normally have been. It seemed like it just wanted to warm up in the rays of the low-hanging winter sun. I hoped that it would groom its feathers or rouse while I observed and photographed it but that was not to be.

Peregrine Falcon in snowPeregrine Falcon in snow – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1250, ISO 250, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

Several cars and pickups had passed by without slowing down on the causeway to Antelope Island and the falcon didn’t even ruffle a feather as they went past but that changed when another vehicle coming up the road decelerated and slowly drove up to the falcon until it was closer to the bird than from where I sat photographing it.

One vehicle near the falcon didn’t seem to bother it but when that second car got nearer and nearer to the bird it appeared to push the falcon out its comfort zone because it took off and flew northeast and didn’t land until it was way out on snow covered flat. Later on when I passed that location again the falcon was still perched on a mound of snow a long way from the road. Having someone chase off the bird I was photographing was frustrating but the driver of the other car probably didn’t know that his presence was going to bother the falcon. Things happen.

I was delighted to photograph this Peregrine Falcon in such a snowy setting.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Peregrine Falcon photos plus facts and information about this species.