Tag Archive for 'optics'

Whoosh, she got it!  Suddenly the quiet gray morning was filled with delighted and dangerous sounds as the young Peregrine cut through the tightly bunched, swerving, twisting flock of Dunlins.  This indeed was our reward for rising at 4:00am for a pre-dawn trip to the Samish Flats.

Adult Female Peregrine, Dunlin in the background.
Photo by Greg Thompson

Scott and I had joined the Falcon Research Group’s Hawk Watching class field trip at the request of our longtime friend Bud Anderson, founder and lead raptor genius behind FRG.  Along with several classmates we had met at the Padilla Bay Visitor Center where we were greeted enthusiastically by Bud.  He could barely contain his excitement as he explained what we would be doing for the morning portion of the trip on the Samish Flats.  A pair of Peregrines had set up a territory over a large flock of Dunlins who consistently fed in a muddy field next to a very accessible road.  This would afford us ample opportunity to watch falcons and their prey in action.  We quickly saddled up and drove down the road in excited anticipation.

Arriving at the Dunlin-filled field, we noticed quickly that the small shorebirds had attracted not only a pair of Peregrines but noted photographers and plenty of ornithologists.  After all, if you want to find birders, just go to where the birds are.  Greg Thompson, an up-and-coming photographer was in position; we were joined by Martin Stewart, renowned bird sound recorder; Paul Bannick, noted photographer and author of Owls and Woodpeckers was in place with two cameras with enormous lenses.

For the next hour we milled about, sharing stories, comparing lens, admiring different spotting scopes, and catching up with old friends, all the while keeping an eye on the Dunlin and their attendant raptors.  Scanning the flat flooded fields, we could see several Bald Eagles perched on pilings near the dike.  Another closer look revealed a Prairie Falcon on a fence post on the outer edge of the field.  Just to the south, Scott picked up an immature Peregrine biding her time.  The adult female Peregrine was poised on the crossbar of a power pole just north of our position.  Further yet but still within view (and reach) of the Dunlins was an adult male Peregrine quietly waiting.  In the middle of this predator wall were approximately 5,000 Dunlin.

The Dunlin were feeding quietly, their peeps, twitters, and soft short whistles reassuring the flock that all was well.  Suddenly they took flight and all binoculars and cameras were shifted to the action.  But it was a short, loose flight in response to a cruising Northern Harrier assessing the flock for any injured or easy prey.  The healthy members of the flock settled back down and continued to feed.  Just as quickly as the Dunlin had leaped into the air to avoid the Harrier, the entire flock fell asleep as though a switch had been flipped- a magical and remarkable feat considering they were surrounded by a circle of death.  And where can one experience the noise and twittering of 5,000 living creatures all falling silent with sleep?

With sleep upon the flock and a long day of the raptor field trip ahead of us, Bud suggested that we load up and move on.  But despite the fact that we had been standing in the damp cold grey morning for over an hour, no one was ready to leave; everyone wanted to see a falcon hunt.

Within moments of deciding to stay, the young Peregrine Scott had scoped out earlier took flight with a determination driven by hunger.  Every spotting scope, cameras, and pair of binoculars was trained on the hurtling dark form of the falcon, but most optics were lowered within seconds as the action got too close.  The Dunlin lifted into the air as one living organism, bunching, swooping, trying desperately to evade.  The falcon cut through the flock with precision.  Once, twice, three times she turned and twisted.  We lost sight of her within the mass of shorebirds when suddenly, two Dunlin dropped out of the flock to the muddy field below.  One more pass and the Peregrine had breakfast dangling from her talons.  No sooner had the young falcon made the kill then the adult female Peregrine was off her perch in hot pursuit.  Driven by hunger and success, the immature bird quickly sped off south over the flats to enjoy her meal in peace.

Smiles and congratulations came from all around as the group of photographers, birders, and friends bonded over an incredible birding moment.  Satiated with the falcon hunt but appetites whetted for more, we loaded up to explore other raptorial treasures hidden within the Samish River flats.