BELINDA GROVER PHOTOGRAPHY

STOPS ALONG THE WAY

SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)

62 Comments

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We were coming to the end of our walk when I spotted this peregrine falcon perched on a log in the water. It’s a lucky spot as over the years a number of animals have stopped by it, from frogs and turtles to mink and birds. But that day the log belonged to this peregrine beauty. He stood there, walked around a bit and cooled off in the lake. I fired off as many shots as I could in the 15 minutes he stayed put. I have seen these birds flying overhead, or up in the tree canopy but never this close up. Have to say it was a bit of a thrill.

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62 thoughts on “SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST (TWO PHOTOGRAPHS)

  1. Beautiful shots! What a great photo op!

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  2. wow! awesome captures and a great find! not the usual place you’d expect to see a peregrine falcon!

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  3. Wow! what an unusual spot to see one! how neat.

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  4. What wonderful shots. Every birders and photographer’s dream to get that close to the falcon.

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  5. All the hundreds of ponds I have walked around, I have never seen a raptor perched nearby, wet, like this. My guess is he was over-zealous in his hunting and accidentally got wet. But whatever the reason, isn’t it just SO GREAT when you come across this rarity and have your camera too?

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  6. Wow, what perfect timing!

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  7. What a lucky sighting! What are the chances of that, huh?

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  8. Wonderful photographs, Belinda!

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  9. Wow, these photographs are fantastic! How wonderful to see them so close 🙂

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  10. Superb shots, Belinda. I am more than a little envious! 🙂

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  11. Terrific captures, Belinda.

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  12. I think you found a Merlin because of its size, coloration, and distinct “eyebrow”. Peregrines have more of a blue-gray back. Great photos! He’s a cutie :-). I’m glad you were able to experience this bird so up close.

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  13. Beautiful shots and how cool to capture a hawk on the ground! Nice compositions!

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  14. That IS very exciting!

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  15. No doubt about your shots, sharp as usual with a nice composition. However, like other bloggers reported, it might be a merlin or if not really a juvenile peregrine falcon, a very close resemblance. Very nice nevertheless.

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  16. He’s a beauty! great shots. 🙂

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  17. What great photos! Beautiful bird!

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  18. Great photos, what a beautiful bird.

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  19. Oh my! Those pictures are priceless!

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  20. Oooh, lucky you! Great shots! I second the possibility that it may be a merlin. Also, habitat-wise, it’s more likely as merlins tend to be forest canopy dwellers while peregrines prefer more open areas.

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  21. It is rare to catch this bird in your camera lens. This is a thrill. Thanks for sharing these great photos.

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  22. Excellent catch. Good timing and better yet, you got the shot. Very nice.

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  23. What a wonderful encounter!

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  24. Belinda, have you compared the markings of this bird to some images of merlin falcons? The peregrine has dark slashes on his cheeks. Otherwise they look very much like the merlins. I suspect these might be merlins, but I’m not sure. If the bird is a juvenile, the colouring might not be complete, but it sure looks like a merlin to me. Still, whatever it is, it’s a thrill to see these birds, and to get such nice shots of them. This guy must like the water. He got quite wet!

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  25. Brilliant and unusual shots of this beautiful bird.

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