Saturday Sharing

There was a new entry on The Falcon Wire 

10/8/2021  ::   Flight characteristics of peregrine falcons

Watching the adults flying high above Market Street, one might wonder: "What are the flight characteristics that identify the birds as peregrine falcons?" According to the PA Game Commission website, "Like all falcons, the peregrine has long pointed wings and rapid, steady wing beats in flight. An adult peregrine can reach a speed of more than 200 miles per hour in a vertical dive called a stoop; in level flight they average about 60 miles per hour." Combine the observation of rapid yet steady wing beats with wings designed for speed, and with the birds' overall size, and that provides the indicators to the correct conclusion. The peregrine falcon shares these flight characteristics with the other members of the falcon family (merlin and American kestrel) found in Pennsylvania.

Of course, what separates the peregrine from its cousins occurs when they spot their prey. Wings beat more deliberately with increasing speed until they stoop - that is, dive upon their unsuspecting prey, knocking it out of the sky. As the prey hits the ground, the peregrine falcon retrieves its meal, moving it to an area to feed upon or possibly cache for the future.

To practice in-flight identification, spend some time in downtown Harrisburg to develop these skills. When observing other raptors consider the characteristics of flight observed which goes a long way to correct identification.

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FrEYEday's weather - and the time of year when I head to The KhrossTrek at 635 I wonder why it seems so dark ;-(

And now for some earlier in the week Willow!

I do have some shots from Thursday evening to share here TOMORROW!

I will be nice and say FrEYEday at The GKP sucked - one of THE WORST days I've had due to all the 'stuff' that had to be done -

I am spent

Happy Saturday EvFURRYone!

H&K&W,

All OF Us At NAK's Khottage

Now With KhattleDog!