The weekend storms largely by-passed us, though we did get some strong winds and heavy rain. Today was windy, but with some sunshine and I spent some time this afternoon down at Rottingdean, walking the shore (the tide was out) to Saltdean. I got a good selection of gulls (I will post some of those in a separate entry), but the wildlife highlight was without doubt picking out a distant peregrine falcon carrying its prey.
These shots are all mighty crops (the final image is uncropped to give an idea of what I could actually see), and I’m struggling to identify the unfortunate victim. I think it’s probably a pigeon.
The peregrine is local and I’ve watched them fly over the cliffs a number of times over the years, but this was the first time I’ve seen one with prey. The shots aren’t photographically much to speak of, but sometimes it’s enough simply to document a sighting.
Some better images (of the gulls) tomorrow!
Camera note: all photos taken with the Canon 7D and EF 400mm f/5.6L USM lens.
derwandersmann
12 Aug 2014Nice shots … colour is right for a pigeon.
Words
15 Aug 2014dW, thanks!
Darko
13 Aug 2014Yes, it is probably a pigeon but I am surprised to see it flying holding such a big prey in its claws. Usually, they would stop nearby and start feasting immediately. Once, one of my friends has seen a hawk catching a big chicken. It was too heavy so it stated eating it right in the middle of the road. Drivers were, luckily, considerate and were driving slowly around until the lunch was over 😀
I would like to have seen that, photographs would be priceless!
Words
15 Aug 2014Darko, it may be carrying it back to its roost on the cliffs. Peregrines catch prey on the wing so they do carry quite a heavy load. The middle of the road isn’t the best place to eat a chicken! A video of that would have gone viral.