Waves breaking on the North jetty Drawing by Heather O’Connor
A couple of below freezing nights, three days of high surf advisories with 14 foot waves breaking over the jetties, a “king tide” with some great minus tides for gathering mussels, three days of 85°F heat and plenty of sunshine. Not a bad start for December.
Now, if it would only rain like they are predicting for tomorrow and the falcons start breeding, I’ll be real happy. Both pairs of falcons, north and south, continue bonding and courtship activity.
A Western Gull… worth a base hit Photo by Cleve Nash
Territories are becoming more defined and both tiercels are more aggressive towards all types of birds.
A Black-crowned Night-Heron… good for a double Photo by Cleve Nash
Cormorants are not the type of thing you chase off unless you are trying to impress your girlfriend.
A Red-tailed Hawk…worth a triple Photo by Cleve Nash
A cormorant might get you to first base, but a Bald Eagle will get you a home run in more than one ballpark.
A juvenile Bald Eagle…this is in home run territory Photo by Cleve Nash
It won’t be long now once they start showing their stuff. With all this macho testosterone activity, the south side tiercel still tries to occupy the “twig”* when the female is not present. And every time she arrives, she knocks him right off of it, sometimes violently if he doesn’t move fast enough. Either he didn’t get the memo or he likes the abuse.
Happy trails, Bob
Item: Once breeding starts, it will be her thirteenth season at the rock and his sixth season. Season’s Greetings from the two of us.
*See the previous story “Twiggin’ it…” on November 13, 2013
Even from this distance, I can feel the excitement building Wish the commute wasn’t such a killer.
Can’t wait for my lawn chair birding partners to arrive from the cold north! I think you might have met Larry from Iowa, another lawn chair birder, who will be here on the 15th of January for 3 months. Everything culminates at once! Breeding, babies, birders, etc. Can’t wait. ~Bob
Hi Bob. Great post with fabulous pics as always. Was that bald eagle at the rock? Thanks, sue
The photo was taken in 2012, one of two juveniles we believe fledged from the pair at Whale Rock Reservoir. Glad you enjoyed the post! ~Bob