Day 207: The Peregrines of Palisade Head

My continuing series of “Duck for Breakfast“!

Starting at 5:30 am this morning I took a 50 mile bike ride along the North Shore of Lake Superior and inland (hwy #1 up to Finland, and then a sweeping downhill via Lax Lake Rd to Beaver Bay). Near Palisade Head around 6:45 am I heard some incredible screeching. Recognizing the sound as a bird of prey which had just made a kill, I got off my bike to investigate. After walking about 15 yards down a path I suddenly found the peregrine falcon family. The two kids were feasting merrily away on a mallard. The parent was up in a tree surveying me and the scene. I was careful to monitor the parent for signals I was too close. I did not want to get dive bombed at 200 mph by an angry peregrine falcon!

I like to start my rides early because one always sees much more wildlife. Scenic 61 was deserted on an early Sunday morning … my own private bike lane!

The peregrine falcon kids feasting
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The parent peregrine falcon surveys the scene
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The hungriest peregrine falcon chick continues to eat
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Day 206: Splish Splash … I was taking a bath!

Two good photos for today. For one picture I worked real hard. Great Blue Herons are very hard to get near, domestic geese at a duck pond are another matter. While looking for wild birds and animals, the geese decided it was bath time. The result was run. Remember Bobby Darin’s tune?!

Splish Splash Geese
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Great Blue Heron
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Day 205: Ambush at the Cemetery

The bird on the day is in this wolves belly! Per my norm, I headed out shortly after sunrise. Today’s birding and photographing location was the Forest Hill Cemetery in Duluth. This location has some nice ponds and lots of forest immediately adjacent to the cemetery. Thus, birds and mammals like the park like location. Upon arriving at Forest Hill, I heard lots of geese and mallards squawking.  Within a few moments I discovered the reason for their racket, a coyote had ambushed a duckling and eaten it for a quick breakfast!

Eventually I found that this cemetery was not a great place for other creatures to hang out. Both an eastern kingbird and a house wren were ambushing some food for breakfast!

Bird of the Day … in the Coyote’s Belly!
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House Wren Ambush
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Gravestone Kingbird Ambush
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