Raptor Resource Project Forum

Archives => Peregrine Falcons 2022 => Topic started by: STLbf on December 30, 2021, 12:42:06 PM

Title: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on December 30, 2021, 12:42:06 PM
At year's end, here's some good news to share.  Amazon Smile sent this note via my email today.

"This is the quarterly notification to inform you that AmazonSmile has made a charitable donation to the charity you’ve selected, Raptor Resource Project, in the amount of $905.07 as a result of qualifying purchases made by you and other customers who have selected this charity. "

And more than $16,000 of total donations from Amazon's program to RRP.

Eagle-wise, rewind to 10:30AM or so for eagles soaring low over the open water.

Happy New Year to Everybirdie who loves RRP and the birds
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on January 02, 2022, 11:47:41 AM
Rewind to 11:00 this morning to watch eagles on the ice and hunting the open water.  Just in case you are tired of football!
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: shep on January 08, 2022, 08:28:06 AM
(https://raptorresource.org/raptorresource/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2683.0;attach=557542;image)


Snowy Owls on the Flyway
January 7, 2022
  RRP cam  ops call this a snowy owl .......
Watchers were thrilled to see two snowy owls on the Flyway yesterday, even if the owl interaction wasn’t friendly. What are snowy owls doing here and why did we see two of them so far from their home? Snowy Owls are nomadic and irruptive migrants and can appear almost anywhere, often in surprising abundance. But we think that their irruptive behavior is driven by a combination of food availability and an unusually successful nesting year.

I am going to go with more survival of young this season!
Snowys have actually been seen in - FLORIDA!   Probly born in New York ahahaha 

We see owls and hawks and eagles and coyotes on the flyway cam

Jan 8 there he is again!
https://youtu.be/DH0VmRsj05c

Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: Raleigheagle on January 08, 2022, 09:11:06 AM
Thanks for that report Shep. I hate that I missed seeing it on camera yesterday. Very interesting. I remember seeing one years ago on a roof in the Chicago suburbs. Beautiful birds
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on January 12, 2022, 11:10:04 AM
Slightly warmer at GSB today. BEs have been clustered around an open water hole all morning. Waiting for fish or ducks to become available. 
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on January 17, 2022, 02:56:39 PM
Eagles are hunting open water areas today (no pics, but see rewind) while ice-fishing is going on by people! From about noon to 3:00, good panning and closeups of wildlife in the area between the nest box camera and the highway.  Watch coyote, deer, and a sub-adult BE.  Thanks to the cam ops for the pics.
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on January 19, 2022, 04:43:58 PM
Early morning, just after sunrise, there's a raptor, possibly a hawk, perched on a cedar branch.  Never got a really good look, so I'm unsure what species.

Then mid-afternoon, some good looks at an adult BE perched in a very branchy tree between the bluff and the highway, toward the dam if watching from the nest box.
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: shep on January 20, 2022, 06:38:32 AM
My guess was a hawk too, perhaps a young one
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on January 22, 2022, 01:35:13 PM
Oh boy! There's a peregrine visiting the GSB area, perching in brushy trees from about 1:00 this afternoon, and still there at 1:30 PM.  No idea which bird or where from, but beautiful.
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: shep on January 22, 2022, 02:59:59 PM
January 22, 2022
Returning already?
The pair in Racine Wisconsin are already mating
Seems MUCH too early
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on January 22, 2022, 04:59:00 PM
Shep, I agree too early, so maybe just wandering around.  The chat for the Flyway posted video of two peregrines at GSB today, and one was banded. I didn't try to find a closeup of the band to get an identification.  Maybe someone on Explore or RRP did.

Several young eagles perching in branches near the locks structure at 4:00 this afternoon.  An adult flew in, too.
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: shep on January 23, 2022, 06:22:57 AM
A PAIR
January 23, 2022
A pair of falcons at GSB!  One is banded.
I do remember Travis returned in a February blizzard years ago.
But JANUARY?

bcaw has pics too - and video
https://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewforum.php?f=494

https://youtu.be/9Rju8-eTsDI
https://youtu.be/HF_sMh_XkGA


(https://i.postimg.cc/257PWyxg/Przechwytywanie-w-trybie-pe-noekranowym-22-01-2022-235532.jpg)

Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on January 23, 2022, 12:24:56 PM
Shep, thanks for the band pic.  We'll wait and see if there's any ID of this bird.

What do the barges do when the river freezes over?  Where do they wait for the warm-up, etc.

Eagles like the trees near the open water, where I posted a pic yesterday.  Several in the same tree this morning.
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on January 29, 2022, 11:35:07 AM
Peregrine visitor this morning, check the rewind starting about 9:00.  It perched in branches near the overhanging cedar branches.  No band that I saw, but pinkish cheeks.  RRP home page notes from yesterday mention that peregrines in La Crosse stay all winter, so perhaps one of those.
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: shep on January 29, 2022, 12:05:51 PM
Racine Wisconsin falcons stay all winter too.
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: eburgbirdwtchr on January 31, 2022, 11:20:51 AM
Loved the view of the crane barge being moved upstream.  That tug is like a fancy jet-ski, the way it maneuvers that barge.  Hoping we get more camera time on the crane-I'm still not sure what's going on--dredging (doubtful? since there appears to be no till), contouring? the bottom to eliminate possible sandbars in the future, breaking ice? (keeping the channel thru the locks clear so spring opening can occur earlier).  I want to know....and I hope the camera operator is interested too.  And thanks for all you (our dedicated camera operators, RRP and Amy and John) do....except for when we miss the Empire Builder....I like trains too!  ;)  And there should be no doubting my fondness for birdwatching....I'm eburg---birdwtchr!   ;) :)

while reading I realized maybe I'm eburgtrainwtchr too!  :) ;) :) lol
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on January 31, 2022, 04:34:46 PM
Bird activity at GSB today. Sub-adult eagles perching and soaring around 8:00 this morning. Rewind is best for the soaring!

And a peregrine visitor again today, about 1:00, on the same branch near the cedars south of the nest.
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: eburgbirdwtchr on February 02, 2022, 04:18:02 PM
Since I've gotten no "joy" on my lock and dam inquiries I went on a google search and found my answer.  The "Infrastructure Bill" is spending money to upgrade all the upper Mississippi River locks from 600 ft. to 1200 ft. to handle the 15 barge pushes we see fairly often on the GSB cliff cam.  Since the 15 barge pushes were the usual "problem" pushes we witness occasionally, we can look forward to higher entertainment value on the cam in the future.
Also, I'm wondering if those new super long "Riverboats" the Cruise line is running from St. Louis to Minneapolis has any influence.
Topping off any sweetheart deals that politics throw in the mix, the locks are "fee-less" even if you're in your own private fishing cruiser.  That's okay though....we have to spend taxes on something, and the Corps will always get its funding thanks to West Point and the military-industrial complex.
Wow....sorry for the rant.  Puff has gotten me stirred up!  :) ;)
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: shep on February 13, 2022, 03:20:46 PM
Feb 13, 2022
I scanned Explore to see whats going on here at GSB.
Some expect Newman this week.
Another falcon pair have been hanging around off n on
Owls seen at RLD regularly - has she laid eggs under there?

Racine Wisc falcons have paired up and bonding
Alma Wisc is back, cam live
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: shep on February 16, 2022, 08:32:13 AM
SNOWY OWL
GSB falcon cam
Feb 16, 2022

flyway cam
(https://raptorresource.org/raptorresource/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2683.0;attach=559976;image)
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: shep on February 16, 2022, 08:39:18 AM
NEW OWNER?
Feb 16, 2022
E/84 Geisler
2014 hatch Maiden Rock Wis
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: shep on February 23, 2022, 09:16:02 AM
MALE FALCON
Feb 23, 2022
Amy confirmed it is Newman

Lots of pics on Explore
https://www.explore.org/livecams/birds/falcon-nest-cam

bcaw
https://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewforum.php?f=494


Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on February 23, 2022, 11:32:20 AM
Hey Shep, thanks for the update Amy's confirmation that the falcon on the ledge all morning today is Newman!  Without banding, I sure can't tell most of them apart.  Reading the info about GSB, this is not unusually early for Newman to return.  Next up, maybe Zooey.
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: shep on February 23, 2022, 01:07:49 PM
Those who know over on Explore have been saying Newman's due this week.

As for me, I cant even tell male from female!

Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on February 26, 2022, 11:05:50 AM
I have trouble telling one peregrine from the next, unless it's an identified pair and they are together.  Then it's mainly size difference, isn't it, with the female larger?  Zooey (female) from last year had the rusty feathers on her face and breast also, but reddish coloration is not limited to females.

This morning's peregrine might be Newman perching at the nest box about 8:00.  Sunshine and shadow provides really beautiful pics.
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: T40cfr403 on February 26, 2022, 05:28:25 PM
Great Spirit Bluff Falcons - Cliff : Newman at Nest Box perch (explore.org 02 26 2022)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dTab2fy3hrA&ab_channel=LizzyGEaglespirit

Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: Ginger52 on February 26, 2022, 06:43:21 PM
Newman has some distinctive white markings on the back of his head, as in this pic.

(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9834a91cb1dfb7a1e73fbd726e32cdda6ddd7070d6d967c7abe5400d4bb34fd5.png)
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on February 28, 2022, 01:42:57 PM
Thanks for ID help, Ginger.  Today there's a different peregrine who perched on a dead limb for several hours, then flew to the ledge.  Could it be Zooey??  At the same time, near 1:00, Newman (I think) was sitting on the nest cam apparatus, looking intently at the other bird.  From camera panning, you can tell it is not the same bird moving from ledge to next box.  But it was the same bird flying from branch to ledge.
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: shep on February 28, 2022, 02:01:20 PM
Feb 28, 2022
In 2021 Z liked to sit on top of the cam
Screen shots off Explore
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: eburgbirdwtchr on February 28, 2022, 08:44:50 PM
28Feb22--Rocky Raccoon the Rock Climber visits crevice below GSB nest box around 8:30 pm.  I thought the Great Horned Owls were bad. :-\
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: shep on March 01, 2022, 02:42:13 AM
RACCOON
March 1, 2022
We not only worry about owl - but coon
WHY would he go there?

Spish
Around 8:09PM nest time a raccoon showed up on RLD and was eating stashed prey (Newman or GHO not sure who was the owner/stasher). Remember John mentioning RLD was accessible to raccoons and hence the scrape there would not be safe.

Looks like he lowered down from above
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a85cb49126d9bb8301bc6607495da04c01d757249ccd9127ec53ff5cc9f89609.gif

March 1 evening
Heck of a climber!
Does he have a den, young on the cliff?
https://youtu.be/Mn7NQ3ERWWc



Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on March 03, 2022, 12:14:27 PM
Raccoon, GHO, peregrines -- lots of action at GSB bluff lately.

Sunrise spectacular all around the area this morning.  I liked the reflection in the open water at the locks in this pic.

Rewind will show a peregrine perched in dense branches.  Do we know yet if it is Zooey?
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: Linda M on March 03, 2022, 07:37:44 PM
STL, thank you for the beautiful sunrise photo.  RRP confirmed that it was Zooey on February 27, I believe.
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on March 05, 2022, 01:33:07 PM
Here they are on the ledge together, Newman and Zooey. She has a small black bird as prey.  Very good to see them together.
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on March 07, 2022, 10:42:47 AM
Newman and Zooey on the ledge together again early this morning. Then he in the nest box and she on the ledge at about 9AM.  Chat on the Flyway posted a video of the GSBs mating on Saturday, MAR 5.
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: LORIDAVIS on March 08, 2022, 02:44:00 AM
Great Spirit Bluffs home of Newman & Zooey
💜
Zooey catching some brief shut eye
(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/2/20220307T143426_725118.ts.jpg)

Zooey, "Darn hangnail"!
(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/2/20220307T142526_724848.ts.jpg)

Zooey checkin' out the nest box...making plans for nestorations
(https://i.gyazo.com/df8c4427f47facbabede25483a26ccd3.gif)

Newman off to grab some lunch ;)
(https://i.gyazo.com/e68c555e758ce2352683b82e23d71b6f.gif)
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on March 08, 2022, 10:44:16 AM
Lori, great to see your gifs of Newman & Zooey at the nest box!
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on March 09, 2022, 12:12:00 PM
Newman caught a small prey bird and gave it to Zooey at the nest box this morning about 7:00.  He has been perching nearby the rest of the morning.  Great closeups, thanks to the cam ops!
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: shep on March 09, 2022, 01:54:24 PM
the Kentucky falcon laid an egg.
So its not too early
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on March 10, 2022, 10:22:39 AM
Newman brought breakfast for Zooey to the ledge, early, sunshine, such a pair!  She has a loud raspy call.
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on March 11, 2022, 11:32:29 AM
Zooey in view at the nest box this morning. She was puttering inside, scraping the gravel a little.  Peregrines don't build nests, so she might be thinking about eggs to come.
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: shep on March 12, 2022, 04:28:30 AM
March 12, 2022
pics from bev, bcaw
I thot y'all'd like em
https://www.peregrinefalcon-bcaw.net/viewforum.php?f=494

(https://i.postimg.cc/V6B0GyvV/GSB-march11-2-2022.jpg)

(https://i.postimg.cc/j2xwB8Jd/GSB-march11-1-2022.jpg)

Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on March 12, 2022, 11:19:14 AM
Newman perched on a tiny ledge to the left of the big ledge, early this morning.  He's a real cliff-hanger!  Then to the larger ledge for a good while. No prey, no Zooey.
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on March 16, 2022, 10:35:40 AM
Zooey (I think) had a bird for brunch on a branch under the nest box.  Probably red-winged blackbird, guessing from the color and size as she de-feathers it.
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: shep on March 18, 2022, 01:53:01 AM
March 18, 2022
Seems the ice is out on the river!
The dredge should come to check it out
then the barges come once again

Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: shep on March 19, 2022, 06:46:08 AM
 :D March 19, 2022
Barge coming upriver - the first of the season I think!  The ice is out

Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: STLbf on March 19, 2022, 01:02:59 PM
Shep, great to see blue water instead of ice!  Spring starts tomorrow on the calendar.

Peregrines getting busy around the nest box.
Title: Re: Great Spirit Bluff falcons, Mississippi River 2022
Post by: shep on March 19, 2022, 01:32:53 PM
O thats a beautiful pic of her up top, blue sky background!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on March 24, 2022, 05:15:18 AM
March 24, 2022
I saw this on Explore
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on March 26, 2022, 04:51:42 PM
Sure nice having them both back!!  Hi all!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on March 26, 2022, 05:33:07 PM
Hi Nora  ;)
I wondered where you were!
Hope you are well
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on March 27, 2022, 07:19:45 AM
March 27, 2022 on Explore
https://explore.org/livecams/birds/falcon-nest-cam


Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on March 27, 2022, 10:53:29 AM
Wasn't that a great way to start the morning?  Another view around 5:30 

IF THE PICTURE DOESN'T SHOW UP LET ME KNOW, I MIGHT HAVE SHARED THE ALBUM WRONG IT'S IN, IT'S BEEN A WHILE.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLWYuSBx2SxOwfsFQjDkJjFLOBaMe-MFLpFDHeOu2lsyro-ZxcIGyQUNpcDVr6S30n0bsDqJYaa3rtyxG91H6fOmAIkFAKVCvns-o0QWz_ziF6LhTvXVLC3Urd200ELtF1mX2AIaB7Xf6E_k6eYw4q-iWA=w763-h427-no?authuser=0)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on March 27, 2022, 11:07:41 AM
Definitely, Nora, a great beginning of the day.
Mid-morning finds Newman on top of the box and Zooey inside.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on March 27, 2022, 11:09:46 AM
Nora, you gonna choose an avatar?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on April 03, 2022, 03:53:37 AM
EGG 1
April 3, 2022
Zoey laid an egg

https://youtu.be/W896jB2uQIw

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on April 03, 2022, 02:51:16 PM
She should do a lot better this year.  :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on April 03, 2022, 04:49:54 PM
First egg at GSB today. That's 2 weeks earlier than last year.  Congratulations Newman and Zooey.   ;D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: LORIDAVIS on April 03, 2022, 07:56:37 PM
Congratulations on the first egg Great Spirit Bluffs family!! Home of Newman Zooey and little egg

(https://i.gyazo.com/d914a1beb0abf5f1b87893b2363fe699.gif)

VIA RRP Explore.org...Peregrine falcon Zooey laid her first egg of 2022 last night at around 12:30 AM. She is a full 13 days earlier than last year: not really surprising, since she came in late and falcons often lay a little later their first year, or after a mate switch.
Zooey will most likely lay her next egg 48 to 55 hours from the first, so watch for another egg on Tuesday! Congratulations to Zooey and Newman!
https://youtu.be/W896jB2uQIw via lizzy g eaglespirit

Here's a snack my lovely Zooey!!!
(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/1/20220403T141133_640493.ts.jpg)

Long night for mama Zooey last night...
(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/1/20220403T171919_646126.ts.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on April 05, 2022, 10:13:53 AM
EGG 2
April 5, 2022
10.15 am  There's egg 2
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: LORIDAVIS on April 05, 2022, 10:52:57 AM
Great Spirit Bluffs home of Newman and Zooey congrats on egg 2!!!!! (http://www.millan.net/minimations/smileys/cheerleader.gif)

At daybreak you can see egg 2 and Newman brings Zooey breakfast and takes over incubation  ;D
(https://i.gyazo.com/708359337fb3254d122db5ce94dfe64b.gif)

what a perfect egg!
(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/16/20220405T122921_2007833.ts.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on April 05, 2022, 12:00:47 PM
Lori, thanks for the gif and pic.  Great to see a second egg and such attentive mates.
The second camera focused on the nest box is a most helpful addition to this site.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on April 05, 2022, 05:18:01 PM
You go girl!!!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on April 07, 2022, 10:53:37 AM
Three eggs!!!!! Sorry just running out the door for an appointment, don't have the time.

10:00 saw 2.  10:50 saw 3.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLXW8VmuuStPOHgVq9DjgxYS_kOUC-KIyd0HyT61--TSQAHAn_oR_v_SSXp7uIwnC6GdgnZSAes9RFerLG818-JikdyfM84MGtTyWQ6sgCflfH67_Zade_MMOYratspINicpctwbgmtPtMZenOF77JnY6A=w763-h429-no?authuser=0)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on April 07, 2022, 12:43:53 PM
EGG  3
April 7, 2022
noon I WAS FINALLY able to get a pic!

April 3, 5, 7
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on April 07, 2022, 12:58:42 PM
Nora, Thanks for the heads-up about the third egg!  Rewind shows it clearly, just like you said, within a few moments the clutch went from 2 to 3. My first pic is almost the same as yours. The second from 1:00 today.

So Shep, will you post your pic for us to ooh and aaw?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on April 07, 2022, 02:57:40 PM
She laid that pretty quick, wasn't even sure just when she did it.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on April 07, 2022, 04:18:30 PM
the cam skipped
I dont know how much time elapsed - but more than a few minutes

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: LORIDAVIS on April 08, 2022, 07:33:19 AM
Great Spirit Bluffs home of Newman and Zooey third egg yesterday... here she is this morning
(http://dl10.glitter-graphics.net/pub/1430/1430600ou0p0w0kok.png) (https://www.glitter-graphics.com)
Shimmy shimmy ko ko pop!!

(https://i.gyazo.com/0fe558f18ce056802f474de3dcc3df3f.gif)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on April 08, 2022, 11:57:22 AM
Lori, great gif, and I thought of the same tune watching Zooey settle in.   ;)

Looks like Zooey has lost most of her rusty-hued feathers. Is that typical?  Now I try to tell them apart by the size difference, with Zooey being the larger bird.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on April 08, 2022, 12:07:20 PM
"How can you tell how old a peregrine falcon is?
Plumage provides an exact age for two groups in October: Juveniles are first year birds, 6 months old, that hatched last spring. Sub-adults are second year birds, 18 months old, with nearly complete adult plumage. Adults — two or more years old — all have the same plumage."

"Juvenile peregrines remain brown-and-cream colored until they are one year old – the time of their first molt. The difference in coloration is an advantage for them because they are easily recognized by adults and not attacked when they pass through established nesting territories."
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on April 08, 2022, 01:40:54 PM
Zoey is so large - will she lay 5 eggs?
Michelle laid 5 sometimes
falcons are laying 4 eggs all over the place
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on April 08, 2022, 04:16:17 PM
One in Wisconsin laid 5, can't remember until I look after while.  Not one of our cams.

One thing I've noticed with Red Wing, if their link changes I usually always have good luck if I go right to their site and use the live stream link.
https://redwinggrain.agpartners.net/falcon-cam/
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on April 09, 2022, 05:32:04 AM
Wisconsin 5 eggs was last year - the Kestrel family
You can find that on this forum  8)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on April 09, 2022, 10:29:17 AM
Here you go, it's Oshkosh!

"Thanks to Dawn Dettlaff for letting us know about the 5 eggs at UWO Oshkosh, Wisconsin site."
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEjOFuchF5A&t=0s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEjOFuchF5A&t=0s)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLV4bB0HdofeUFhApDWkNTFXNYUxaXeE1yZXZKovgs3iVGPr3b6p6ADxKXlI6jKuKMx6-uuMWX_owCZKYzcbDiS6a8UkDTFkIM1OQmSUXeNy-IbYEbmAO0RFDEhRJXU-GYQkBao6DismAnLrG5iWDF19Kg=w1080-h703-no?authuser=0)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on April 10, 2022, 09:00:39 AM
4 EGGS
April 10, 2022  Palm SONday
9 am there are 4 eggs!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on April 10, 2022, 09:44:39 AM
Congrats Zooey and Newman!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on April 10, 2022, 01:39:21 PM
Great news about the 4th egg for Newman and Zooey!  Gotta be quick on the rewind to catch the changeover.  The second camera that's always focused close up on the next box is a big help.

Sure hope RRP has the owl deterrent measures in place again.  Anybody know about this?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on April 11, 2022, 03:27:06 AM
California - Berkeley peregrine falcon found dead
April 2022
Peregrine falcon found dead hit by car in Berkeley.  Grinnell, a peregrine falcon who made a home at the Campanile at the University of California at Berkeley campus, was found dead Thursday
https://www.ktvu.com/news/beloved-peregrine-falcon-found-dead-in-berkeley-likely-hit-by-car

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on April 11, 2022, 12:20:53 PM
Oh Shep, so sad to lose a peregrine at any time, but from human cause, extra bad.

At GSB, Newman and Zooey are taking turns incubating their 4 eggs.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on April 11, 2022, 12:54:02 PM
That's two I know of this year, Rochester, New York's Beauty died too.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on April 12, 2022, 10:49:18 AM
Nora, raptors in general have difficult lives wherever they live. Many hazards and dangers. So grateful to RRP and all the other organizations that work to promote and protect them.

Colorful sunrise here this morning, and several exits and entrances by Newman and Zooey between about 6:00 and 6:45 on the rewind.  Don't miss the really tender foot-roll of the eggs by one of the pair.

I can't tell which is which since Zooey seems to have lost her rusty feathers, unless they are side by side, then Zooey is larger.  In the pic, the bird on the box rim didn't stay.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on April 12, 2022, 03:27:52 PM
I'd say Zooey is sitting waiting and Newman is on the eggs.  She's still got a little brownish cast to her and Newman is in that male head lowered "oh darn she's back" look.  ;)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on April 14, 2022, 11:19:42 AM
Missed pics yesterday because the live feed was down. Early this morning, all is well at the nest box, with a changeover at about 7:00.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on April 16, 2022, 09:59:48 AM
Hi Nora and Shep. It is so soothing watching the nest box and Mississippi River from the live cam.  Sad news about the Berkeley falcon.  People in CA drive like maniacs.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on April 17, 2022, 10:42:05 AM
Happy Easter, everybirdie. All is well at the nest box this morning.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on April 19, 2022, 04:44:53 AM
LOOK AT ALL the 4's!

- GSB: Four eggs. Estimated hatch date: Tuesday, May 10.

- Xcel Energy:
- High Bridge: Four eggs. Estimated hatch date: Sunday, May 8
- King: Four eggs: Estimated hatch date: Wednesday, May 11
 -  ? No more Sherco ?

- DP Alma: Four eggs. Estimated hatch date: Wednesday, May 4

- Minnesota Power
- Hibbard: Four eggs. Estimated hatch date: Monday, May 9
- Clay Boswell: Four eggs. Estimated hatch date: Friday, May 20

- GRE: Four eggs. Estimated hatch date: Thursday, May 5

- Red Wing Grain: 4 eggs. Est. hatch date: Thursday, May 19

- US Bank, La Crosse: Four eggs. Est. hatch date: Monday, May 16

Posted by RRP - in forum by Nora
I thot I'd repost in a couple other threads too

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on April 19, 2022, 09:05:24 AM
The visitor at GSB makes me think about Chance.  Wondering how she is and if she will return to GSB.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on April 21, 2022, 04:52:49 PM
Zooey and Newman seems to be doing everything right. All four eggs still in the nest box, and they swap incubation duty regularly.  Hoping for a successful hatch in a few weeks.

Seems like great news that so many peregrine pairs have 4 eggs this year.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on April 21, 2022, 05:29:17 PM
Eggs still there ..... ??
Where'd you eggspect the eggs to go?   ;D

Yes it great so many falcons laid 4 eggs.
The Kentucky falcon - 2 hatched, 2 didnt
The female is a new mom

On the other end, 3 falcon moms with eggs died this month

Obla dee obla dah
Life goes on
  ......

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: SAI_Peregrinus on April 23, 2022, 02:14:18 PM
Eggs still there ..... ??
Where'd you eggspect the eggs to go?   ;D

Some predators will steal eggs. Not as likely with a nest like this as getting nestlings stolen, but still possible.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on April 29, 2022, 04:35:56 PM
Looking great at this shift change on April 29th!
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLUfU7bAA16QJyN_LYUfCS4VbXuN132VCVa151tMeMWdJGh90mvBoLVq97zNAV0NWhUuROwFQRjEsmgN8ds6WyqQH1ZWJlFHJrMnAzF0bA0sTAI7n3bBJIvpiPHJeTx2kzlnQkEd0ZsfxpHCDiCPh83FeA=w758-h435-no?authuser=0)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on April 30, 2022, 09:09:36 AM
BIG LONG DOUBLE BARGE
April 30, 2022
Around 8 am a very long barge came downriver.
2 ultra long solid cars - reminded me of a airport runway
Bet that was tricky to load!

EGGS April 3, 5, 7, 10
so we are looking at hatch watch May 7
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on April 30, 2022, 02:44:47 PM
Nora, thanks for the pic of parent and eggs here at GSB.  Do you know if owl deterrent measures are in place at the nest box?

Shep, that was an impressive barge. The folks who manage them through the locks are real artists.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 01, 2022, 08:57:33 AM
Just chilling with my coffee watching the Mississippi.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 03, 2022, 04:06:14 PM
Couple pics today.  Looking good for hatch in about a week.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 04, 2022, 06:18:55 AM
STL, about a week means that we should start watching around the 9th?   ;D. Beautiful day on the Mississippi.

SHEP,  that barge looks about the size of an aircraft carrier flight deck.   ::)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 05, 2022, 11:33:09 AM
Dawn and sunrise pics beautiful today.. Happy Cinco de Mayo, everybirdie.

Nothing happening hatch-wise yet, Jaspurr.  RRP has a notation on the live stream site that May 10 is their estimated date.

I've been really impressed with Zooey and Newman shimmying around with each change-over to get all 4 eggs under protection.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 06, 2022, 07:33:07 AM
STL, Zooey has really stepped up to the plate when it comes to protecting the box.  When there was only Chance in the box she seemed to be constantly present.  I don't know about GHO measures at the box but Zooey's and Newman's constant presence hopefully will make the GHO's think twice about attacking the box this year.  I was glad Shen you decided to return to watching the box and saw and heard Chance.  I learned to turn the volume down on my computer watching her.  What a joy she was.  Getting excited about the new hatch.  In the meantime, I  enjoy watching the view of the Mississippi from the cam.  :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 06, 2022, 11:19:54 AM
Jaspurr, keep thinking safety for the eggs and eyeasses to come! 

Won't be too long now until there are pips to watch!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 07, 2022, 04:54:53 AM
May 7

Nestbox cam
https://youtu.be/_eggY8kTTLI

Cliff cam
some kinda horrible bug!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYInTHcdkWc

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 07, 2022, 06:51:21 AM
SHEP, thank you for the nestbox cam.  I have it pasted at the top of my favorites list.

I would love to be on that tug pushing the barge up the river this morning.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 08, 2022, 09:35:20 AM
HAPPY Mother's Day Zooey.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: LORIDAVIS on May 09, 2022, 03:17:15 AM
checking on Zooey, lots of wiggle toss & turning for her...  ;)
(https://i.gyazo.com/b2cc3a1998d6fa2444e5b734f0d2fa17.gif)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 09, 2022, 11:44:17 AM
Lori, thanks for the video.  It's getting close to time for the eggs to hatch, and N and Z seem to roll the eggs more often. Restless wiggling for sure. 

Maybe peregrine egglets talk to the parents like BE eggs do??  So far this morning, I don't see any pips.  The changeover pic could be Z out and N coming in, or the other way round!  They are really quick, and I have to use the stop-action feature to get any clear pic at all.

Be safe to all.   ;D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 09, 2022, 01:09:30 PM
Yes STL the eggs do peep
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 09, 2022, 05:07:31 PM
Shep, thanks for the peeping info!  Eggs still intact at 4:30 PM changeover.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 10, 2022, 10:56:51 AM
Will RRP be correct that today is a hatch day for Newman and Zooey?  Not so far. At the 10:30 changeover, looks like all four eggs are still intact.  Maybe this afternoon??   :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 10, 2022, 12:38:15 PM
Will RRP be correct that today is a hatch day for Newman and Zooey?  Not so far. At the 10:30 changeover, looks like all four eggs are still intact.  Maybe this afternoon??   :)
Fingers crossed
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 10, 2022, 02:04:53 PM
Anyone know what was swarming the nest box and drove (I believe) Newman out??  There was a thick swarm for a few minutes.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLV8eFWNhdDk6sly0nidHT0tDEPGqdIOVsV_vZTfPjNFjih37SrDzzlFgfUAfHC6ESWfY2Cd7tEe66i9GOfiLN1UtDPtMQe2AV8n8vwf80msZgs14_htaX9xoHPvwSubUohcq16PJgLbitQtDiZadfeXRQ=w758-h428-no?authuser=0)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLXU6m-tact7xdrIDs05dCZKInUk2Z2kdNBGmij8W4z-5VVmKnIzYV8YCOUH9S54Dvf7TT7SXgSO764X1MSiWYcC7KAgIl9O7ONMWjFCRNU-b2TMPqlyTSE7OoZ0p5Bj_HH84iaLBXEAzJwIyAc6K-oUvA=w761-h428-no?authuser=0)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 10, 2022, 03:22:15 PM
Nora, looks like some kind of bees.  Maybe looking for a place to nest themselves?

Four eggs at 3:00 today.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 10, 2022, 03:57:58 PM
Maybe flies?  How do they know to show up near the hatch.  Whatever they are, they are annoying Newman and Zooey.   >:(
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 10, 2022, 06:40:50 PM
I hear peeping.  Don't know whether it is from eggs or falcon. Constant shimmy and rotating of eggs.  I think this is Newman in nest.  He is constantly moving in circles.  Nora/ Shep where are you?  6:40 PM.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 10, 2022, 07:13:49 PM
709. I think this is Zooey.  No longer hear peeps.  She has calmed down. Not sure what was going on.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 10, 2022, 07:45:21 PM
I hear peeping.  Don't know whether it is from eggs or falcon. Constant shimmy and rotating of eggs.  I think this is Newman in nest.  He is constantly moving in circles.  Nora/ Shep where are you?  6:40 PM.
I've been checking in off and on at Great Spirit and also waiting for the last egg to hatch at Hibbard along with being outside off and on.  ;)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 11, 2022, 12:52:29 AM
12:50  the peeping and shuffling has started again. 

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 11, 2022, 04:46:09 AM
I saw the large flies, my guess was deerflies - nasty bite
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 11, 2022, 05:56:03 AM
Hope Zooey gets some rest this morning.  Amazing listening to the peeps from the eggs.  One of them is going to be areal screamer like Chance. :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 11, 2022, 06:42:12 AM
Looks like one of the eggs is in hatching process, 6:00 AM changeover.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 11, 2022, 07:43:26 AM
STL, can you hear the peeping when she shuffles the eggs.  I hope the egg is OK.  I noticed that one of the eggs had a small dent last night when I was watching.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 11, 2022, 10:22:32 AM
Jaspurr, I have not heard peeping from the eggs, but traffic noise muffles small sounds from the nest.  There's frequent shuffling of the eggs today, perhaps to help crack the eggshells?  I don't know, peregrine hatching is new for me.  No first hatch visible at 10:20AM.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 11, 2022, 12:47:32 PM
1225 Shift Change
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLUxmX956GoonlufvuUnhoHC3d4c3VzAHyCP6eLFEOGRpnVC_fiIwhGhEFEolTT-FJ6cFwu2Zxh8LWPOD6o6V0O73fS9whTi7-kQDyf_yIJv_sxoozpjD34-UPsmA0cc7M0cMcLb98EDdfEKeLLLP9UGVA=w1025-h571-no?authuser=0)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLWEd2HdBJUAyka532aAuIGOMihKMY8e3PCDevtweudJfe_BqXTFSkaOmqk62UkpKh1M8keTzs6FUb0-a3B9fX8eLSf1WUjU-VBmQ-VmENlC-aVBzpxoU9rIJpGaxuECt_VK0J0mi3Kjk31onMLGVm8LnA=w1023-h576-no?authuser=0)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 11, 2022, 02:00:31 PM
Me too STL.  Late last night and early this morning the eggs bouncing against each other sounded like they were bowling.  It seemed a little rough to me but I guess it is normal.  This is very different from watching eagles hatch.  I am still hearing faint peeping.  Is the egg you posted this morning still in the nest?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 11, 2022, 02:04:18 PM
jaspur, sky on bcaw posted she hears the chicks.  :D

I understand the chicks have a bowling tournament prior to hatching.
The winner gets to hatch first
there's been a tie .. now they draw straws
bet we have a hatch before dawn

 ;D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 11, 2022, 02:09:32 PM
You are too funny SHEP. ;D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 11, 2022, 02:45:35 PM
2:24 Shift change
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLUvFke9Jdkj7zYF3rohrsay6xwxCsnLXqhkM2aNHTF-WdQWp57YDkN0x4S4VIq5ZC-rKM6-TMNGxf9hbVv0aZGZ0DvvmpmGPKO-Duf_AXe_gxRpYR7Ueetc8TlcfB3gqrJb_GYBH-IxX_uzhXMcYORB-A=w1024-h573-no?authuser=0)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 11, 2022, 04:20:47 PM
Another shift change at 4:13.  Is it just me?  That egg doesn't look to good to me and when they move it, it seems lighter in color than the other three.  :-\
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLX-50-F48L0iVlzKt_9Jj9KsSWSMeUzcpgx-jNKFDh8N6CZvK4lXn9NdvFscqfDB4PDN5KMMJ9gp0SpNfw57NrkFqOBfb7C_H_G8ecbEZwKio-YcmGq230Z5kSEGOQquQgLAH2bxeSZUiW6XK5L8j7mkw=w1022-h561-no?authuser=0)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 11, 2022, 04:55:19 PM
Nora, I'm also concerned about the egg that has the pip-open area. Zooey has been picking at the broken shell now and then, but there doesn't seem to be any progress.  Betcha the chicks are dizzy from all the rapid egg rolling!  Thinking calm and successful hatches at GSB.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 11, 2022, 06:53:18 PM
6:48, The peeping is getting louder and the rough shuffling is starting again.  I don't see any dents in the remaining three eggs.  I hope SHEP is right about a hatch by dawn,
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 11, 2022, 08:27:02 PM
8;24, looks like a pip in one of the eggs.  A nice food offering was brought to the box but rejected.   

8:36. falcon returns, shuffles eggs no peeping heard

8:44 silence, going to bed.  hoping everything is ok.   :(
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 12, 2022, 12:49:00 AM
We have a hatch!!!  About 11:45 PM baby fell out of the shell!
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLWUeIw6DNET5tdHadcT7E4h7EPd00gZucgY_zUziahyBKlgVBluROjkSO0NKUUogX0sUKoDvJY5kAMjNopI_VAjnZiZ5BCVZJN-AkUSXLr4WBhJr7XKpvUSoSe9_YJNKbsTC1CqS1hKtjZ0FIojt5PBsg=w764-h477-no?authuser=0)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 12, 2022, 01:49:00 AM
OH HAPPY DAY Nora.  I was so worried when they stopped peeping before I went to bed.  I see the egg shell in the corner.

1:53. Lots of glorious peeps now and more shuffling  ;D.

3:03 n Just got my first glimpse of new eyas

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 12, 2022, 07:16:49 AM
Congratulations to the GSBs on the new addition to the nest box!  Pics aren't great, but you can see a white ball of fluff, and it is moving (see rewind).
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 12, 2022, 07:17:17 AM
TWO LITTLE HEADS.  Had to go back and double check.   ;D ;D ;D ;D

STL, go back in slow motion.  Start where Zooey leaves the nest box.  You can hear the second one peeping behind the older one in front.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 12, 2022, 07:29:11 AM
Jaspurr, you are the eagle-eyed detective this morning!  The second egg that was so "damaged" and open has produced a second chick!  Awesome and way to go, peregrines!  :-*
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 12, 2022, 09:34:50 AM
Wow I was looking at those pictures and did a double take!!  I thought I saw a second head and went no couldn't be.   :D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 12, 2022, 11:41:41 AM
Seems to be still 2 hatchlings here, with  2 to go.  Does someone know if the rapid rolling and shuffling by the parents is typical peregrine behavior?  Seems really rough to me, but I'm just a watcher with no expertise at all.

The cliff swallows are flying a lot.  Hope they will eat most of those bees or big flies that have been pestering the peregrines as the weather heated up.  There's a longer name for these brownish swallows from a posting a week or so ago . . .
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 12, 2022, 12:06:23 PM
Yes they roll and jiggle hard on them often so they don't stick to the inside of the shell.   :D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 12, 2022, 12:07:54 PM
STLbf. not sure if you can, but you started the thread.  I noticed Great Spirit came unstickied from the top.  Maybe you can go into edit and sticky it again?  If you can anyway............
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 12, 2022, 12:58:21 PM
I am wondering why the two eggs seem to be separated. 
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 12, 2022, 12:59:12 PM
nora we can all ssticky it
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 12, 2022, 01:50:48 PM
nora we can all ssticky it
OK, I'm used to forums where it has to be the administrator or person that started the thread. :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 12, 2022, 01:54:35 PM
Between 11 AM and 1:00 PM, still two hatchlings who are moving, breathing.  There's one intact egg in the middle with the babies and seems to be one egg off to the left. Have they abandoned this egg?

Pieces of shell in the lower right and in the back, left corner.

About Sticky -- I noticed that we lost our smiley face in the Index list, maybe at the same time as unsticking.  On my Reply page, the "Sticky this topic" box has a check under the Attachments options.  And the box that says "Don't use smileys" does NOT have a check.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 12, 2022, 01:55:15 PM
I am wondering why the two eggs seem to be separated.
If it's not just shell it might be that one egg that looked bad is off to the side.  Out to mow the yard..............
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 12, 2022, 02:08:41 PM
I believe the egg that "looked bad" is the one from which the second chick hatched.  Return on rewind to about 8:00 AM to see the half-shell that remained.  Just before that, the second chick appeared from that egg.  But I could be mistaken.  :D

Can't find the way to turn our GSB smiley face back on, and to make us "Sticky" again.  Expert help welcome!!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 12, 2022, 03:44:00 PM
There is one brown egg to the left of the box, near her tail in the photo that I am looking at now.  I rewound the video to the point where this egg was still under her and slow forwarded to see if this egg was a partial shell that one of the e emerged from.  It appeared to me to be a whole unhatched egg but she is no longer sitting on it.  It just seemed strange to me that she was no longer sitting on the egg to the left.  It is a question that really can't be answered.  Will just have to wait and see what happens tonight.  I saw her feed some food to the e's.  The oldest was hungry and so cute.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 12, 2022, 03:50:31 PM
If they know it's a bad egg they'll put it to the side a lot of time.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 12, 2022, 03:59:47 PM
The abandoned egg just got rolled under the parent, not sure which is on the nest now.  Woo Hoo, maybe there's a chance for it to be viable.  It has been plenty warm today so incubation not really needed.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 12, 2022, 04:03:26 PM
Nora, she has just moved it back under her.  Maybe it was warm enough day that she didn't need to sit on it and she needed more room under her for the for e's.  I was wondering if it was a bad egg also.  I am worse than an expectant father pacing the hospital corridor waiting for his first born.  LOL. 

Thank you STL.  We posted at same time

4:38. Dinner is served.  YUM

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 12, 2022, 04:40:36 PM
Jaspurr, I know how you feel!!   So watch now as Newman (I think) feeds the chicks.

Great closeup from one camera -- wish it could see around the corner of the nest box!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 12, 2022, 06:07:45 PM
Another one from your feeding STLbf. :)  I had to laugh, at one point dinner got set pretty much on top of the front one and it had one heck of a time getting out from under it.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLUtd5T8LsMh27ag93TvglEXWgVDj4_Lmoq4endTaCKMPkj7ZQn1kBd0jp554eLg0L9gx1GJz8D6X2oTzndEfawf_5a4HvHDB-qklWGhBHDtwG9W5ZYCr6fZyrKGSmd-A-hNDJ0l88sVjfPXOQeB3BArvA=w1023-h573-no?authuser=0)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 12, 2022, 06:10:44 PM
1800 --
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLVpNlxZpcfwt-AK5PFnfYv02-CSXRKH23awVX2JTdeimkCXBjvO_O0HDRbeHBaVuVL4uO9rMdnFO1B8tubSByVpe5lfOS7yZ3FmVvl2YfBzvWH68VHxTeLxYD91usPhYcztIPRSpLTrh8CMnko3_vbM3Q=w1020-h573-no?authuser=0)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 12, 2022, 07:22:45 PM
Feeding behavior improving this evening.  Closeups show that the chicks were getting tiny bits of actual food, hopefully meat and not just feathers.  The unhatched eggs are still there, one next to the chicks and the other separated again.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 12, 2022, 07:36:55 PM
It must be hard to hit those moving beaks.  :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 12, 2022, 08:43:19 PM
8:33 PM  Wonder if that's a new half of shell that just popped out.....
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLX0_-T-GDCC45LUcM33n_oywIU-81u3y83jiJqQU05QOKTv4QniMm0bjsvzbV_ajIZ0KnRUzfVNIf-pWTJXEPB9wzqjSjz0s-v5_FsX83_5XoqPPSQQpGEnQi9-1qxjcJLwbPymcx4du01Om_O0N27SMg=w765-h436-no?authuser=0)

SORRY!  At 10 PM it looks like the egg is still under her, must have been left from a previous hatch.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLVnqjfKiTMDbzcRwufgf0tcdoBHszsZ9a4G6xT8cqlkF8b1_mndkIA-lQedouBae04QY5VZWjqKbrlNf_yNHbcgMs1F1Z9h5QQNem09tL9OfiU5Z6TGGkxVN0i0tl2yGBrYfp66kX79aoGJ7ExAvAcgCw=w1023-h572-no?authuser=0)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 13, 2022, 01:37:29 AM
Yes Nora, 3 has hatched.   ;D. Good catch. 
Can't wait for daylight and first switch.

4 is peeping up a storm.  Maybe 4 e's by morning.  :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 13, 2022, 05:52:09 AM
5:45 morning shift change occurring.  Three feeding, #4 hasn't hatched yet.  Newman needs more feeding training.  LOL. #3 can't figure out which direction to face.  So cute.  #4 was very vocal during the night.  Kept waking me and mom up.  It won't be long now.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 13, 2022, 06:02:02 AM
jaspur, TURN OFF computer overnite
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 13, 2022, 06:13:12 AM
Can't do that SHEP.  That is when a lot of the action happens.  Don't want to miss anything.   :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 13, 2022, 07:10:08 AM
Nora, STL, you have the day shift.  I am going to bed. ;)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 13, 2022, 08:04:55 AM
Can't do that SHEP.  That is when a lot of the action happens.  Don't want to miss anything.   :)

do u know this cam has DVI
You can sleep then watch what happened over nite like a movie
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 13, 2022, 11:41:29 AM
I do  :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 13, 2022, 11:45:30 AM
11:31
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLWJrQpVFRLg8WNloKUa5VykgkoJyBdJgUjQv9Un9eAyGvyXeQkpIT-lCBbrobLd8kHSOzqZUzQScyyrIdzeGnxKwbs6nnxaZEu_QYhf9WXQMKDnFGxKRU9O36QxYjtdEUOnBVQ2quPt-EemRWkQk5ihPQ=w1031-h572-no?authuser=0)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 13, 2022, 12:49:35 PM
Wonderful to see a third chick in the live feed and on the rewind this morning.  Looks to me that there is still one egg to hatch, the one that is right in there with the chicks.  We'll be watching!  It appears that most of the empty shells are in the corners or maybe blown away.

Pics show three chicks eager to eat, and Newman and-or Zooey getting the feeding procedure down pat today.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 13, 2022, 02:38:10 PM
Got some sleep today and I am ready to go round two with Zooey on #4 hatching.  I hope this is not going to be another all nighter.   :o

LOL SHEP, this is a LIVE cam.  I don't want to watch a movie.  ;D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 13, 2022, 03:44:43 PM
Chicks seem to be doing fine and the parents are feeding them well. Still one egg unhatched.  Zooey chirps to the chicks as she is feeding.  Probably helps them locate because they don't see much yet.

Parent brings a dead bird and feeds bits of it to the eyasses (new chicks in falcon-speak). Then the parent takes away the leftovers, probably eating it away from the nest box before returning.  Rewind to abut 3:30 PM to see Newman bring a meal to the perch, Zooey leaves the box and grabs the prey, then returns to the nest to feed the babies.  They've got this, for sure.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 13, 2022, 09:33:48 PM
They're so darned cute at this age.  This was 6-6:15, I'm not great at figuring times.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLURamQSuOeLToxHXRTosRaP3n8pbLQ_aVnXjlHid8HnnCaycwYz0jB-wFoZIMOqXWzdW9HtMUgQ879W2orEMpOpMcNcKl5SRxGNb6YexUE0UDhlecE-Dz5Fc1GSVFU2vZfoqiI3PoS-w0mwV5-JkIzZtw=w1024-h574-no?authuser=0)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 14, 2022, 06:15:43 AM
Looks like a pip in #4.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 14, 2022, 08:42:04 AM
Hope you are correct about the pip, Jaspurr.  Z and N are still rolling the dickens out of the remaining egg. The chicks must get buffeted around at the same time.   Feeding looks to be working well.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 14, 2022, 10:14:26 AM
Just previewed and enlarged the egg.  There is a dent that is horizontal to the left.

Zooey is back.  It is so easy to get attached to the e's.  That was a quick visit.  Just checking on the progress.  Newman standing watch again.  Great team work.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 14, 2022, 10:47:26 AM
There's definitely pip on the last egg. 
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 14, 2022, 01:44:30 PM
You are missing some good food #4.  Take a deep breath and break yourself out of your shell.   :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 14, 2022, 05:30:15 PM
May 14
5.30 pm barge

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 14, 2022, 06:36:03 PM
What do you think the barge was hauling.  It seemed to me that they were pretty close to the shore.  The tug was churning up silt from the bottom.  When I drove back to Virginia after the ATF last year I ate breakfast at a local cafe in Guttenberg.  There were two river captains eating at the counter and they were talking about how low the water level was in the river and how important it was to travel in the main channel.  I watched a smaller barge traveling up the river on the cam last week and a power boat traveling down river forced the barge to movel closer to the shore.  It was amazing to watch the tug slowly maneuver the barge to get it back in the channel.  The barge didn't move for quite some time but you could watch it slowly start to move away from the shore.   A lot of skill by these tug drivers.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 14, 2022, 06:52:55 PM
I bet those river captains were interesting to talk to.  We went on one of the tour or whatever boats at Red Wing and that guy was so interesting.  He left home rather young and went to work on the barges/tugs.  The other day we went to the wood carving museum here in town and a couple guys he knows that carve were there.  They were neat to talk to too.  The guy that owns it grew up here in Spillville and knew the Bily brothers that hand carved clocks and other stuff.  He said he did some cleaning, but only NEAR the clocks and he could sit and watch them carve, but only watch, NOT touch.  Where he is, is now next door to the Bily Clock Museum.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 15, 2022, 02:32:41 AM
BARGE NEWS
Digressing from birds.  You 2 reminded me of the sea barge stuck in April, freed Easter Sonday. I did a search and.....

Maryland:
Christ breaks out of the tomb - and Ever Forward ship breaks outta #Chesapeake Bay!
She was stuck over a month.
At long last, the #EverForward sails forward - with the help of a buncha tugs.

Coast guard officials have still not revealed how the ship got stuck in the Chesapeake Bay. It missed a turn and jumped the narrow Craighill Channel, propelling into at least 18 feet of mud and silt the night of March 13.  Gab.com has lots of news

Links if you want to know more
https://gab.com/Shepherd/posts/108148764821479180

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 15, 2022, 02:40:04 AM
Kentucky laid 4 hatch 2
Bank laid 4 hatch 2 ( ate one egg, burst )
Omaha laid 4 - 2 alive, 2 hatched, died
High bridge laid 4 hatched 3
Mich Spartan laid 4 hatched 3 - if anyone can get male's band # it'd be appreciated
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 15, 2022, 07:20:14 AM
NORA, several people have told me to visit the Bily Clock Museum in Spilville.  It was on my list of things to do but I ran out of time. 

SHEP, the Evergreen Company was the same company that ran aground in the Suez Canal.  Thankfully, it didn't take as long to free it from the Chesapeake.  They are just too big to navigate narrow waterways.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 15, 2022, 09:45:46 AM
Rewinding, the unhatched egg is still visible off and on during the night, and it is still there at 9:30 this morning.  Parent still rolling the egg. That's 36 days if it is the last laid egg, and that's normal incubation time.  Hope for hatch today. Everybirdie seems OK.

Meanwhile, we can watch the barges!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 15, 2022, 11:42:47 AM
It's been an interesting year.  We still have Boswell (5/20) and Red Wing to go too (5/19).  I was so glad to see Zooey settle right in this year and not have all the upset of last year with several females wanting to stay.

Jaspurr if you ever do get time when you get to Decorah, some of those clocks are 8 feet tall with intricate carvings, along with smaller things.
https://www.bilyclocks.org/

Going to grab some lunch to munch on while I check nest boxes..........
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 15, 2022, 01:05:49 PM
Thanks for the info STL.  I was wondering how long an egg can go unhatched.  They were protecting the e's from the sun this morning and I was unable to get a good view of the egg. 
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 15, 2022, 01:47:01 PM
Jaspurr, Rewind to about noon for a good look at the remaining egg.  I found the expected incubation days in the info about the peregrines on the RRP's  GSB site, scrolled down under the live feed.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 15, 2022, 01:52:11 PM
One of the other nests 3 hatched and I gave up on egg 4
suddenly POP!  out came chick

 ;D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 15, 2022, 07:07:28 PM
Hoping for a loud pop tonight.  :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 16, 2022, 10:52:17 AM
Not yet, Jaspurr.  Early pic of chicks and the egg, and still no hatch in the view at 10:45 (no pic here either)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 16, 2022, 11:02:45 AM
You know the old saying STL, a watched pot never boils.  Maybe if I stop watching the egg will pop.  LOL
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 17, 2022, 06:18:29 AM
Nothing like the sound of screaming hungry e's and breaking swallow bones in the morning.   :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 17, 2022, 11:46:56 AM
Chicks being fed and looking normal.  The egg is definitely pipped but not hatched as of 11:00 this morning when it was visible.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 18, 2022, 11:11:01 AM
No hatching of the remaining egg at time of this posting (11:00 AM).  Elsewise, GSB seems to be getting on in good order.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 18, 2022, 12:14:24 PM
I knew it would happen one of these days, looks like a Baltimore Oriole.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 18, 2022, 12:51:00 PM
Nora, Yes, I agree, Baltimore oriole. Orchard orioles are rusty instead of orange and not sure if they live in Iowa.

Raptors being raptors, they do not always bring items to feed their young that won't make us say, "Eeewww."  At the Decorah North nest this morning, the mother eagle brought a baby hawk or owl and the young eaglets ate it right up.  So we gasp, maybe not watch, and continue believing in the importance of raptors on Earth.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 18, 2022, 02:05:09 PM
These falcons have taken orioles and meadowlarks before
always sad
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 18, 2022, 04:27:23 PM
It appears that Newman and Zooey have abandoned the unhatched egg as of earlier this afternoon.  It is still in the nest box but they are not incubating it.  If it was the last egg laid (April 9), it would be 39 days old.  Sad, of course, whenever an egg does not hatch.  These parents will have their work cut out for them raising 3 chicks to fledge.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 18, 2022, 05:23:59 PM
They'll get plenty to eat.  I remember at King one year we ended up with one and she got HUGE.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 19, 2022, 05:28:58 AM
Sad about #4.  I love to watch the Mississippi River on the cliff cam and there is a smorgasbord of small birds flying around for the e's to feed on. 
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 20, 2022, 09:13:52 AM
Rainstorm this morning.  The nest cam is off.  Just before the cam went off, Newman was calling for Zooey and the three amigos looked hungry. 
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 20, 2022, 10:31:16 AM
There was a feed early, but no pic.  The chicks are looking alert and moving around a bit more.  They grow really fast.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 20, 2022, 10:40:22 AM
May 20
Yeah, they'll fledge next month!  ;D

flyway sandhill cranes, chicks

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 20, 2022, 11:04:06 AM
Glad you got some pictures of the cranes.  I took lots of screen shots but haven't been able to figure out how to post to the forum.  I am not computer savvy and don't like messing around with my computer for fear of screwing something up.  LOL

The peregrines will fledge next month?  When will RRP be banding them?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 20, 2022, 01:19:07 PM
Once you have a picture in your computer you should be able to post it.  If that was ANY help?  :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 20, 2022, 01:35:38 PM
Glad you got some pictures of the cranes.  I took lots of screen shots but haven't been able to figure out how to post to the forum.

RRP always bands - they'll tell us when - hopefully ....

see attachments (below)
click on it

see CHOOSE FILE
click on it
it will bring up option to load pic from your computer

Does that hep?




Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 21, 2022, 06:35:37 AM
SHEP, that did help but I will have to figure out how to downsize my screen picture.  When I followed your steps I got a file too large error.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 21, 2022, 06:57:54 AM
Well good
there are ways to downsize, cant help ya there
bless ya
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 21, 2022, 07:44:37 AM
 :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 21, 2022, 07:45:38 AM
SHEP, I did it.  Now I have to go back and remember what I did.  LOL
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 21, 2022, 08:22:24 AM
good job jas  8)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 21, 2022, 08:25:47 AM
Thank You Shep!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 21, 2022, 10:01:03 AM
Those are fantastic shots jaspurr!!!  You did it!  :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 21, 2022, 12:20:15 PM
Congratulations, Jaspurr, for figuring out how to post pics!!  You might post how you did it to help others who have the same difficulty.

When I need to reduce the electronic size of a photo or screen capture, I use the program called Paint.  Easy, reliable, quick.  But you may have a different method that works just as well. 

The sandhill family at the Flyway, and the peregrines at GSB can be an inspiration to all of us who watch the birds of RRP.  And again, thanks to the cam ops who make it happen visually.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 21, 2022, 02:30:45 PM
jaspur, if you like eggs peeping, click this
https://youtu.be/GDslWOTMKHc

Kestrels are fascinating
One hatch May 21 - -  5 eggs
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 21, 2022, 03:27:00 PM
LOL SHEP, that's a loud peep.  Sounds like they are rolling a lottery basket.  Kestrels use to be quite common here but with all the development I have to drive farther out to see them.  Their coloring is beautiful and I was told by an advanced birder that when they weren't sitting on a wire by the road you recognized them by their hovering behavior.  Will watch is cam.  Thanks
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 21, 2022, 04:37:05 PM
LOL SHEP, that's a loud peep.  Sounds like they are rolling a lottery basket.  Kestrels use to be quite common here but with all the development I have to drive farther out to see them.  Their coloring is beautiful and I was told by an advanced birder that when they weren't sitting on a wire by the road you recognized them by their hovering behavior.  Will watch is cam.  Thanks

I forgot to tell you I have a thread here for them
I cant take pics anymore, computer crashed
https://raptorresource.org/raptorresource/forum/index.php?topic=2795.0

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 22, 2022, 12:30:56 PM
Chicks' quick breakfast is yellow-orange, possibly warbler.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 24, 2022, 04:03:58 PM
Newman was trying his best to cover them up, his feet were slipping while he pushed forward, but nope.  They're getting too big for him.  :D
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLVSQmZ0v40q-ZBJWjwuEUVYzsdIevTjIFnSqeZOuhlyUmtTMymTetF-lhQHo54is2EojGgHo-1EkPsRTe0Iv_mFNWjrBXOdilAEVQ9OCHgoggzdLyM2-WUIR9kxpqwTeXulOFws2AcpjJlVFF34B7W6tQ=w1024-h572-no?authuser=0)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 24, 2022, 04:10:36 PM
NORA, they are growing so fast.  It won't be long until they are banded.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 25, 2022, 10:50:03 AM
Zooey & Newman try to cover the chicks. Shuffle, shuffle, but they are too big to fit now.  Also growing wing feathers and grayish down. And they are starting to grab at the prey, not just wait for a bit to be fed to them.

Saying a little prayer that the owl deterrent measures are in place same as last year.  Has anybody seen info about protecting the chicks from owl attacks?

At banding time, hope RRP can recover the egg that didn't hatch to determine why.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 25, 2022, 12:33:37 PM
May 25, 2022
POURING RAIN

Has RRP given a banding date yet?  Usually june
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 25, 2022, 03:06:59 PM
I saw early June somewhere, but need to find it.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 25, 2022, 04:33:26 PM
Thanks to the cam ops for this view of wild columbine in the rain at GSB
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 27, 2022, 10:46:53 AM
Breakfast prey today at about 6AM was a medium sized, black and white bird, with a banded tail and a wide white stripe across the wings.  Anybody know what it was?

Chicks are standing on their heels and moving around more, and the wing and tail feathers are really evident.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 28, 2022, 10:10:32 AM
That is one interesting prey bird!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 28, 2022, 02:34:31 PM
Yes Nora, interesting prey for sure.  I don't believe it's a woodpecker, but what can it be?  The watchers who use Explore are good at ID for all kinds of prey, but I don't know if they watch GSB.

The three chicks seem to be thriving, at about 16 days old.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 29, 2022, 06:06:34 AM
mockingbird maybe?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 29, 2022, 10:54:41 AM
Shep, did you mean that the b&w prey bird from the other day might have been a Northern Mockingbird?  Well, they do have some white across the wings, but not a barred tail. 
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 29, 2022, 11:02:19 AM
STL, you are right mockingbirds do not have barred tails and barred chests.  Looks like a common nighthawk to me.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 29, 2022, 02:17:52 PM
Jaspurr, I think you win the gold star for the mystery prey bird this time!  I remember seeing common nighthawks flying at an open-air theater during late evening, summer performances, swooping to catch insects in the lights.  They looked just like the bird that was breakfast on May 27. 
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on May 29, 2022, 03:02:38 PM
I think so too.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 29, 2022, 03:51:02 PM
nighthawk
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 30, 2022, 11:54:55 AM
Shep, thanks for the night hawk pic.

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on May 30, 2022, 01:58:12 PM
Other nests are banding, I bet RRP is banding this week
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: astrophotoguy on May 30, 2022, 02:27:20 PM
The RRP page says banding will be Saturday, June 4. The time is not given. I hope they tell us how much these "little ones" weigh, they are certainly getting fed all they can handle :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Raleigheagle on May 31, 2022, 07:01:44 AM
Checking in this morning, and it appears the black flies are starting up.☹️ So hard to watch those little guys undergo constant irritation. Hope it’s not too bad this year.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on May 31, 2022, 07:24:00 AM
Thank You for the banding information ASTRO.

LOL, Zooey has placed the three e's in the corners.  Looks like a time out.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on May 31, 2022, 11:37:05 AM
The chicks trundle around the nest box, then gather around the parent who brings food. Lots of squeeing now, and grabbing at prey. This morning about 6:30, breakfast is a cedar waxwing.  My pic is kinda blurry, but you can use rewind for better views.   ;)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on June 02, 2022, 06:23:44 AM
I wonder if the tribute to TX Ninja will delay the banding on Saturday?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: eburgbirdwtchr on June 02, 2022, 07:51:38 AM
I think John and Amy can chat from anywhere.  And the mods run the chat line.  Should be no problem.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on June 03, 2022, 01:08:27 PM
Big day for the peregrine family tomorrow.   ;D. I will be watching bright and early.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 03, 2022, 04:56:43 PM
Jaspurr, RRP will probably take the cameras off line while they do the banding.  I think they did that last year.  They might post some pictures after.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: eburgbirdwtchr on June 03, 2022, 06:46:12 PM
STL and jaspurr--I'm pretty sure it was last year, but may have been the year before that I watched John Howe rappel down to the nestbox and send chicks up in a carrier.  I think Dave Kester was up top as safety man.  So keep an eye out.  We might be blessed this year too.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on June 04, 2022, 10:18:25 AM
I just checked the RRP home page and could not find any info on banding today.  SHEP, have you heard anything
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 04, 2022, 10:35:56 AM
Pics from this morning, the chicks seem to be doing very well.  Will see if banding happens.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on June 04, 2022, 11:26:34 AM
I hope John has his peregrine proof vest on this year.  :). Don't forget your helmut.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Ginger52 on June 04, 2022, 11:39:31 AM
This was posted about 4 hours ago on Explore's GSB chat board:

Message from Raptor Resource Project regarding banding the Falcons:
Due to the avian influenza this season, the Raptor Resource Project is not banding or handling falcons. We will be monitoring production instead of banding young falcons. Where there are cameras, like at Great Spirit Bluff, we won’t need to repel to check.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 04, 2022, 03:11:21 PM
Thanks to Ginger for passing along the message about no banding this year.  Better to skip it than take a chance on passing avian flu from one bird to another.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on June 05, 2022, 04:23:27 PM
They're catching up to Newman!
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLWruN-oIzg2odg9q6eE-hcgy8RKym0ZB970qBhdiwUAp7IxGuONSZqwxA7McNpT29FJ0I-YXxlbsLtWlH59DB_WStXxqJ-UMl-UkqXN7WrsX6kZgtVwTyiyBq2F7OUCHM78NVUZn4BuMWsyFqWIQPyutA=w763-h429-no?authuser=0)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLX4Klk1aSa3iW9LLld7a01PE6DL3-djGfUnKdnSU2Kll3QVJkyZCZ-v4G1tZFUXC0fjUSRKRPgJCMWxN_vfC3Ygckfn_Nf3qv1Hy4tVWo8g77M-BVF1GjFaDQFO3CJCs11AqzODF_lvPkW7R0linU5PeQ=w760-h430-no?authuser=0)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 05, 2022, 04:45:47 PM
Nora, you are so right, these eyases are well fed and growing like weeds!  I was thinking the nest box could use an annex!

Feathers with pinkish-tan color are starting to appear on jowls, tails.  They will soon look more like falcons than puff-balls.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 08, 2022, 11:10:44 AM
What a difference in feathers a couple of days makes!  Zooey is getting her rusty look again, maybe change in hormones or the food she is eating.  And the kids are growing brown and tan face and body feathers as they lose the white baby down.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 08, 2022, 01:42:40 PM
The chatters and mods at the Flyway live cam mentioned today that Zooey (maybe Newman also) has spent the nights recently on top of the nest box or on nearby perches, probably to guard against attack by owls.  Anybody have more information? 

Last year, some kind of owl deterrent measures were used, I never knew what.  Anybody know more about this year?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 09, 2022, 01:30:42 PM
Early morning, one of the parents on a tiny ledge to the left of the nest box.  See arrow in pic. Eyases OK as of 1:30 PM.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 12, 2022, 10:06:08 AM
 June 12, 2022

pics off explore
https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/10/5/20220612T122614_3661334.ts.jpg

peekaboo
https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/10/5/20220612T131736_3662875.ts.jpg

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 12, 2022, 05:09:40 PM
Love the pics, Shep.  Specially the parent perched among the wild plants, very artistic.

Wildflower experts, what is the white, 5-petaled flower in bloom now, shown near some dead wood close to the nest box.  Leaves look a lot like the anemone in my garden, but similar flowers are pink and bloom late summer.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 13, 2022, 10:11:39 AM
Things seem to be OK at the GSB nest this morning.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 13, 2022, 10:23:19 AM
I feel guilty sayig - i miss the barges
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: eburgbirdwtchr on June 13, 2022, 12:17:55 PM
Amen shep, amen!  :)

If this cam was solely dedicated to viewing Peregrine Falcons I wouldn't even watch it.  Don't like the screeches, the view, or the slaughter of songbirds.  Even with "the circle of life...." and all.  At least the cam backs off after dark and I can count barges and hope to see the locks occasionally and in the twilight before dark maybe even see the Empire Builder.  ;)

Update:  Hope my spouting off didn't cause the cam loss live.  Highlights are even worse than songbird consumption!  :) ;) ::)

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 13, 2022, 04:33:31 PM
I liked your rant eburg
I enjoy it when trucks, train and barge all in the same frame.
AMERICA - ON THE MOVE
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: eburgbirdwtchr on June 13, 2022, 05:31:22 PM
Sure hope Nora and John and Amy and all the other Peregrine fans can get my sarcastic sense of humor.
I honor Bob Andersen's dream of putting Peregrines back on the cliffs of the Mississippi and cheer his success and feel we're blessed to have lived in his times.  Sure hope we quit digging and climb out of the hole we're in now before my time ends.  And that's probably the first time I've written the fact down of my impending end of mortality, but I'm already way older than I thought I'd ever be, and life is like a piece of string with a start and a finish.  Some strings are longer than others but they all come to an end.
Which explains a small part of Eburg's String Theory.  :) ;) ::)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 14, 2022, 12:07:18 PM
Have the barges gone away from these locks??  Probably I'm just looking at the wrong times.

One of the eyasses sits on the box rail now.  Likely the oldest.  One was on the rail on June 11, so not a new thing.
And two of them are self-feeding, kinda.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 14, 2022, 04:58:25 PM
Terrible news -- One of the eyasses climbed over the edge of the nest box about 2:00 this afternoon, and fell off.  Breaks my heart.
The other two seem OK.   Cam ops have been searching the side of the bluff, but I don't think they have found the little one.  Maybe the parents will find it.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 14, 2022, 05:03:38 PM
FLUDGE!
June 14, 2022
https://explore.org/livecams/falcons/falcon-nest-cam

https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/558eebe5bd11df5dcda757ce63a51d7beb5a00cb17b46c5094fdc7d0317bacf6.gif?w=480&h=312

We are used to fludges.  They survive, they are FALCONS
I've seen this often
They are fine
They do better than those watching them

LOL

Leftovers
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7994c97b86b62c1f33e80c83bec8d60e4865bcfae6549de97a85e1b1a66252e2.png





Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on June 14, 2022, 05:04:08 PM
When I saw the cam ops focusing on the trees below the nest, I knew.  :(
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 14, 2022, 07:50:29 PM
Fludge is the term for an early, accidental fledge.  OK.  Still worrisome even if it is falcons!

Whatever is causing these young ones to be so adventurous?  In a nest box on the side of a bluff.  Give me a flat roof any day.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: LORIDAVIS on June 14, 2022, 09:25:14 PM
did the other 2 fall also??? where are they ??  they were there 30 min ago  :-\
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: LORIDAVIS on June 14, 2022, 09:58:53 PM
Great Spirit Bluffs home of Newman, Zooey and 3 little ones...
All 3 baby falcons have fallen from great spirit bluffs... prayers needed. this has happened before, last time Carson fell 2 years ago and he was ok. The last 2 just kinda followed suit with their sibling.   
Here  they are earlier today...
All three of them asking for food earlier today "very loud"  ;)
(https://i.gyazo.com/148429b1e7f1ccb785bec7040248c4d3.png)
cute little skinny legs
(https://i.gyazo.com/df45f49120d8fce651c110b494341640.png)

RRP updateJUNE 14 2022
https://www.raptorresource.org/2022/06/14/june-14-2022-fall-at-great-spirit-bluff/
The falcons at Great Spirit Bluff have jumped out of the box. We originally thought that we were seeing some exploratory behavior, but it looks like the blackflies drove the youngest falcon out before the older two.

We’ve been asked if we plan to go down and rescue them. For now, we’re leaving them alone. It is our experience that falcon parents will take care of their young by flying into the understory to find, feed, and defend them. We don’t want to make the little falcons harder to care for by driving them deeper into the woods, so we’re monitoring them with our cameras for now and will act based on what we see and how Newman and Zooey respond.

Not everyone will care for this video, but I’ve included it for anyone who is interested: https://youtu.be/nwSBsxcwr0I. The falcons were between 31 and 33 days old and had well-developed primary feathers to help them flap and break their fall.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 15, 2022, 06:31:47 AM
YES the parents know exactly where they are
 and feed and guard them

Juvies can be heard - just like in past years

I remember several years ago
all 4 fludged the same day - driven out by black flies
All 4 were fine
They have enuf wings to descend gracefully, softly
FALCONS LIVE ON CLIFFS!!!

I even remember a couple names that year - Jonathan, Mandy and Stolte -
the 4th I called Terri cuz I cant remember her name

NESTBOX is empty
June 14 they had a Fludge-a-rama and all escaped
https://youtu.be/_eggY8kTTLI

Fludge #1 did EXACTLY what Jonathan tried to do years ago
https://youtu.be/oiCRuHjfiHI

Fludge #2 went out on the stick (like Terri years ago)
#3 came out to perch outside and watch
https://youtu.be/QqysO_y9R0s

Message from RRP
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/6e97cb3f7e4bdef5a55e3be418cef39774fd40f913137d4c44713c0d6b7a4d55.jpg


Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: LORIDAVIS on June 15, 2022, 07:46:12 AM
Great News  ;D Great Spirit Bluff Falcons : One of eyass found (explore.org 06 15 2022)
one of the eyass found!!!!

(https://i.gyazo.com/acba17f97dfb2905e1971280a3958ed6.gif)
https://youtu.be/MRwRdlwiQZU
One of the parents flew by and one of the eyass was wingercizing


 
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 15, 2022, 08:21:46 AM
Thanks Lori
I had no doubt
RRP has the best cam ops

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on June 15, 2022, 08:23:27 AM
Good news about locating one of the eyass,  I think I remember that last year they treated the nest when they banded Chance.  I am going to thinks positive thoughts about the other two. 
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 15, 2022, 08:36:10 AM
Good news about locating one of the eyass,  I think I remember that last year they treated the nest when they banded Chance.  I am going to thinks positive thoughts about the other two.

jaspur, READ what I wrote
I've watched this cam for YEARS
stop worrying lil buddy

 ;) 8)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on June 15, 2022, 08:53:03 AM
SHEP, I did read what you wrote.  :) I have seen them jump before at GSB but it doesn't get any easier to watch.  I did say that I am thinking positive thoughts.  Thank you for the words of encouragement.  I want to see some barges on the Mississippi   ;D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: LORIDAVIS on June 15, 2022, 10:24:18 AM
Good news about locating one of the eyass,  I think I remember that last year they treated the nest when they banded Chance.  I am going to thinks positive thoughts about the other two.
Hi Jas and thank you Shep for the words of encouragement ;) I was wondering about that too jas, I think they treated Chance for the bug bites from the black flies last year and then the box as well... will have to check archives.  I saw someone flying around looks like might have brought food earlier??  Maybe Zooey? I see Newman is keeping a close eye on them from the tree branch above.  Good news is should be cooling down and less humidity by tomorrow morning  (30 degrees cooler by 6am in central Iowa) that should help a bit.   I have been checking on them every day just haven't been able to do much recording lately. I truly hope we can see all three of them on camera today.  :-\  Prayers for all 3 of you little ones and good thoughts :) 💜 
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 15, 2022, 10:50:36 AM
Very good news that one of the little ones has been located by the cam ops, and the parents!  Newman and Zooey are on the job, so I am thinking positive thoughts about survival for all.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: LORIDAVIS on June 15, 2022, 12:01:56 PM
Very good news that one of the little ones has been located by the cam ops, and the parents!  Newman and Zooey are on the job, so I am thinking positive thoughts about survival for all.

hi STL and thank you so much for the update ;) Sending positive thoughts for ALL as well.  :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: LORIDAVIS on June 15, 2022, 12:09:39 PM
Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
little one doing ok, parents doing a great job at protecting 💜

(https://i.gyazo.com/22a3190da5c28a39bddfccdd5a99bcd7.gif)

Great Spirit Bluff Falcons: Eyas and the raccoon (explore.org 06 15 2022
https://youtu.be/4Dw_tW9pGpk via lizzy g eaglespirit
Both parent on the look out for their young ones
Raccoon show up and Zooey and Newman both alert and dive bomb the raccoon
(https://i.gyazo.com/d2bed5f407bf11a2dd4511063c741ccd.gif)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 15, 2022, 12:31:35 PM
The raccoon stalked other fludglings in past years too
UNSUCCESSFULLY   :D

  I want to see some barges on the Mississippi   ;D

ditto
barges dont jump outta the river.   ;D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 16, 2022, 05:15:50 AM
Some tell RRP to remove the nestbox.  NOOOOO!
Between 2005 and 2012 RRP banded 25 falcons


NOPE. Dont remove the box!
I dont think a single falcon chick has been lost due to early fludge.
The young have enuf wing power to safely land -
and enuf lung power to let parents know where they are! :egg11:

I personally enjoy the view of the river and locks and barges.
Minnesota is where I grew up.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on June 16, 2022, 05:51:54 AM
Zooey and Newman are keeping vigil.  I can hear an eyass .  Zooey has not moved from the dead tree.  Newman  is flying.

Music to my ears.

Eyass very vocal.  Like looking for a needle in a haystack for the cam ops.  That dead tree marks the spot. 

Thank you for the Mississippi shots.  No barges SHEP. >:(
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 16, 2022, 08:35:21 AM
Just now cam spotted juvie in a tree
He looks good AND HAPPY
So much better off where they are now

 :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on June 16, 2022, 08:43:01 AM
Cam ops are great SHEP.  This is better for me because I don't have to remember to turn down the volume on my computer like last year with Chance.  ;D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 17, 2022, 01:30:33 PM
MY VERY FAVORITE VIEW
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e5f5ebc4fda106308a1ee7b881be36c78dce305b5327fb1e0b17f1bd07c02e69.jpg


Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on June 17, 2022, 04:44:09 PM
Me too SHEP.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: eburgbirdwtchr on June 17, 2022, 07:45:31 PM
shep and jaspurr--And I just watched the Empire Builder fly by!  :) ;) ::)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on June 18, 2022, 08:19:54 AM
EBURG, I had to look the Empire Builder up on Google.  I am glad you were talking about a train.  When I first read your post I was worried that you were talking about an airplane.   8)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 18, 2022, 08:29:13 AM
Years ago I rode the Empire Builder to Chicago with a friend
I KNEW

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: LORIDAVIS on June 18, 2022, 08:38:23 AM
Good morning little ones.  May a little ray of sunshine peek through the leaves and shine on your adorable faces today.  Stay safe. 💜💜💜
May 26 group hug...
(https://i.gyazo.com/adff059a3aefa6d5f9a40508ddab146b.gif)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on June 18, 2022, 08:51:00 AM
AMEN LORI.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 18, 2022, 11:50:13 AM
Anybody know if more than one eyass has been located since they all left the nest box?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on June 18, 2022, 11:59:23 AM
I don't know STL.  The cam ops seem to have stopped searching for them and I have seen Zooey or Newman at the nest box.  All we can do is think positive thoughts.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if one or more of the eyass flew back to the nest box or cliff ledge so the cam ops could see them.   
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 18, 2022, 12:04:42 PM
Yes, Jaspurr, seeing the juveniles would be a blessing!  From notes that RRP has posted on the Home page, it's not unusual for the falcons to leave early, and also to survive.  So we'll just wait for news and pictures.   ;)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 18, 2022, 12:45:40 PM
Its too early for them to fly up to clifftop.
Midweek next week we can look for them up there.
You will see all 3 again.

 :D

barge
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/4ee587f6f02f274ca42ebfc025b12b7fa49004adbb680f25b12417dd331643f2.jpg
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on June 20, 2022, 11:15:59 AM
Thanks for the barge picture SHEP.  The last couple of mornings have been beautiful at GSB.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 21, 2022, 11:19:53 AM
The camera operators are panning the area this morning. Some closeups of wildflowers, some closeup pics of adult peregrines, maybe Zooey from the rusty feather colors, puffing and panting from the heat and exertion of flying.  No juveniles in sight on the rewind, unless I missed them.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 21, 2022, 02:02:33 PM
(https://i.postimg.cc/jdV3cn1d/Przechwytywanie-w-trybie-pe-noekranowym-21-06-2022-191957.jpg)
Terka, bcaw got the pic / band

Savanna pays a visit
June 21, 2022
Female 40/Z - Savanna Fargo visited this morning

Explore caught her too - and a tugboat
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/0961105b032c298f70cd2928cac6538b183ffdf32dbb338a2536562148e9e9a2.jpg



Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 21, 2022, 03:59:48 PM
Oh, Shep, thanks for posting the pic showing the band ID !!  The details say she was hatched in 2019.
I just didn't stay with the rewind long enough.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 22, 2022, 08:15:14 AM
June 22, 2022
8 am  a barge in lock  -  and 1 upstream barge waiting at the bridge
Never saw that before

BEAUTIFUL BLUE RIVER, AND GREEN TREES




Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: eburgbirdwtchr on June 22, 2022, 08:28:47 AM
shep--downstream  ;)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on June 22, 2022, 08:32:43 AM
Busy on the Mississippi at GSB.   ;D. Beautiful morning.  Good day to get some coffee and watch the river.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 22, 2022, 08:39:26 AM
shep--downstream  ;)

I think the barge in the lock is headed down stream
but cam op didnt leave cam there so dunno

the barge waiting at the bridge is coming upriver

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: eburgbirdwtchr on June 22, 2022, 09:23:08 AM
both headed upstream
i believe
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 22, 2022, 09:41:17 AM
9.30 I see a barge going upstream so your likely correct
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on June 22, 2022, 09:45:36 AM
9:43 Got my coffee.   The barge in the lock is headed upstream and is just rounding the bend.  Will go back and watch it.  What I would give to transit the Mississippi and go into a lock.   ;D. The sound of the tug engine.  In my next life I want to be a tug boat Captain. 
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: eburgbirdwtchr on June 22, 2022, 10:05:26 AM
jaspurr--What still boggles my mind is you don't have to give anything to go thru a lock.  There are no fees.  The fully tax-subsidized Corps of Engineers will lift and lower your boat for nothing..  :-\ ;) :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 22, 2022, 10:09:37 AM
God bless our Army CoE
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 22, 2022, 11:26:35 AM
Pics of the barge and tug called the Tom Frazier, headed upriver at about 6:00 this morning.

Lots of birds flying at the cliff face at the same time.  Likely some are swallows catching insects, and a peregrine that probably caught one of the swallows.  No pics of the birds this time.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on June 22, 2022, 11:46:28 AM
Want a full size picture of that sunrise STL.  Breathtaking
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on June 22, 2022, 12:06:20 PM
Save it and get it printed jaspurr  :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 22, 2022, 12:23:35 PM
AWESOME STL
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 23, 2022, 11:21:08 AM
Hey Jaspurr, please do get that sunrise pic enlarged!  Or the boat if that's what you meant.  Thanks to the cam ops for the great views they provide for us every day.

This morning about 10:00, an unbanded peregrine adult was on the cliff face, then at the top.  Similar behavior from the banded visitor a day or so ago.  Must be really hot and hard work getting food in this location.  Could be Newman today.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 23, 2022, 01:04:00 PM
(https://raptorresource.org/raptorresource/forum/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=2783.0;attach=568514;image)

This is where I expect to see our juvies - any day ....
zoomers lookin for em

Remember Chance liked that  area way across - nearer the locks?

EXPLORE
CLICK FOR PIC
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/d4debb7bfab01ad2eb9c49d4d197310797fbb198379a587e9a76de25f3417bc7.png
https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/10/11/20220623T150042_4141168.ts.jpg


Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 23, 2022, 03:58:04 PM
And until the absent juvies reappear, the cam ops are giving us super-close views of the flowers and native bees.  Columbine earlier this afternoon.  The blue bell-like flower is familiar from last year -- must find pic from 2021 for the name.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on June 25, 2022, 11:02:11 AM
I sure hope they're ok down there.  I always feel better when the cam can find them, but they've been ok before, keep thinking positive.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on June 25, 2022, 11:55:43 AM
Hey Shep!!  Once we can't watch Great Spirit, here's a cam for you, the Mississippi River Lock 19, Keokuk, IA, USA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gMRMwsPItyc
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 25, 2022, 12:16:36 PM
Looks like storms were in the area this morning, with colorful skies at daybreak.  Check out the Flyway on rewind for the most spectacular colors.

Adult peregrine on the ledge.  Unbanded, possibly Newman.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 28, 2022, 12:16:14 PM
Adults on the eating ledge this morning, with closeups at 7:00, 8:00, and 11:00.  Looks unbanded, likely Newman, who was also perched on one of the dead branches.  At the 11:00, there are 2 falcons on the ledge, one with its back to the air, and one hidden behind the leafy branches, see just the legs/feet.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on June 28, 2022, 05:06:22 PM
Thank You for the pictures STL.  Still hoping.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on June 29, 2022, 11:13:33 AM
Yes, Jaspurr, I'm hoping, too.  Meanwhile, here's a different kind of barge coming downriver this morning.  Shep, what can you tell us about this one?  Looks like for a vehicle or equipment to me.

Adult Peregrine perching on a dead branch, and the brown swallows (wrong name, but right color) are hunting insects.  They must have lots of swallowlets growing in those holes in the cliff face.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on June 29, 2022, 12:11:01 PM
.  Meanwhile, here's a different kind of barge coming downriver this morning.  Shep, what can you tell us about this one?  Looks like for a vehicle or equipment to me.

Best guess
they're for a zoo
BIG litter pans for lions

 8)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on June 30, 2022, 12:07:02 PM
Nice catch of the swallows coming out of the cliff wall.  That IS a different barge.  Maybe like they put the big equipment on.  Interesting.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 01, 2022, 11:24:21 AM
Spectacular sunrise at Great Spirit Bluff to begin July.  Newman is there, but no sign of the juveniles.  Still possible that they survived?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 01, 2022, 03:05:23 PM
Peregrine on a small ledge this afternoon.  Unbanded, slightly rusty breast feathers, might be Zooey. What do you think?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 02, 2022, 04:32:49 PM
SHEP,  is that a tourist river boat in the lock at GSB?  I will try and get a photo.

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on July 02, 2022, 04:40:23 PM
YES, thats a tour boat - a river boat
a river cruise ship - cant see a name

 :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 02, 2022, 04:41:02 PM
SHEP,   Looks empty.  Can't see a name. 

I could picture myself sitting in a lounge chair on the top of that boat. ;D

There were passengers onboard.  That was too cool to watch.

THANK YOU cam ops for letting me watch that.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 03, 2022, 08:30:15 AM
Jaspurr, great pic of the riverboat!  I've always wanted to go on a river cruise of the Mississippi R. but beyond my budget.

Here's a little wren greeting the day.  Might be too small for a peregrine to bother with.  Rewind to listen to the song.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 03, 2022, 08:51:46 AM
STL, after checking out the prices of American Cruise Lines Upper Mississippi trips I have to agree with you.  I will have to be content watching from the cam op.  Watching the ship enter and exit the lock is what I really enjoyed watching. 
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 03, 2022, 11:30:52 AM
The locks in operation are really fascinating.  Where I live near the Mississippi R., some of the locks have tours.  And in visits to the Seattle, WA, area, I've been right up close to watch the locks letting smaller motor and sail boats, into and out of waterways.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 03, 2022, 01:11:24 PM
This morning there was one of SHEPS long barges going downstream toward the lock.  I was hoping that the cam op would stay on the barge because I couldn't imagine how that long barge was going to fit inside that lock.  It was being pushed by a large tug that I would think would have to stay with the barge in the lock to push it out.  Unfortunately they panned back to the cliffs before the barge went into the lock.  On my way home from the ATF last year I drove to Guttenberg hoping to get a tour of the lock.  The tour didn't open until noon and I needed to drive to Pella.  I would like to drive up the river into Wisconsin some time and go on a lock tour.  We rode a paddle boat up the river last year and I think La Crosse would be a nice place to stay.  We went as far as the lock before turning around but I got a chance to wave to SHEP on the cam and saw the GSB nest box.  Too short but fun.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on July 03, 2022, 04:56:41 PM
This afternoon I saw a 15 car barge heading down river.
Sadly the cam stayed on the cliff instead of letting it show the trip thru the locks.  >:(

The 15s make 3 trips, 2 cars per trip.  Takes a LONG time!

SHEP  ;D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 04, 2022, 11:28:51 AM
GSB gave us a red morning sky to match the Fourth of July holiday!

And a barge for Shep and Jaspurr.  Guess when it's time to ship, it's time to ship, even on a holiday.

And a Peregrine perched on the big ledge, for all of us.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on July 04, 2022, 12:48:45 PM
Thanks STL
I saw that 12 car barge down river just after 8.30 this morning
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 04, 2022, 05:01:29 PM
THANK YOU CAM OP for following that barge this morning into the lock.  The lock is  a lot longer than it looks.  A pretty tight fit.  Amazing that they do this with no mechanical assistance.  I watched the battleship USS New Jersey go through the Panama Canal.  There was only 10 inches of clearance on either side.  In the 1980's it was the largest ship to transit the Canal.  In Panama there were a lot of mechanical cars on rails to make sure that it didn't hit the sides of the Canal.  I am even more in awe of the tug boats that maneuvered that barge into the lock.  They make it look so easy.  SHEP, did you watch it?  THANK YOU AGAIN!!!

STL, the sun rising pictures were beautiful.  Thank you for letting me know about the barge this morning. I would have hated to miss it.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on July 05, 2022, 09:15:19 AM
July 5
9 am  ewww spider web!  Glad for wipers!!
Elk River cam needs wipers
They not only have a web but a fly in it
double ewwww
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 05, 2022, 09:34:26 AM
Great shot of the spider web with mist drops like pearls.  Mostly webs are pretty invisible, and not fun when you walk into one in the woods, full in the face!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 05, 2022, 04:53:04 PM
LOL, you two.  That was a work of art on the cam this morning.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on July 05, 2022, 06:21:39 PM
The spider web with mist drops like pearls was really neat!  Thanks.  I agree with an earlier post, I think the adult with the brownish tinge was probably Zooey.  I keep thinking positive on the youngsters even though we haven't see them, there are SO many places they could be.  Fingers are crossed.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 06, 2022, 12:46:47 PM
Nora, I sure hope your idea about the young ones is the right one!   Meanwhile, cam ops are working hard to provide us with Peregrines, wildflowers, and barges this morning.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 06, 2022, 12:49:44 PM
Couple barge pics   :D

My terminology is probably incorrect!  Is the whole connected group of things the barge, and the individual "boats" the cars, like on a train?  And what's the boat with the motor properly called?  A tug or something else?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on July 06, 2022, 01:27:54 PM
I say 12 car barge
its barge and tug
I dont know  boaters terms

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: eburgbirdwtchr on July 06, 2022, 02:53:37 PM
My 2 cents...

The lock, from gate to gate, is 300 feet.  That's a football field, goal line to goal line.
Never heard the "car" term before, but I'm thinking it might refer to three barges side by side.
So the lock can handle 3 cars at a time, with a little room at the tug end and enough room at the front of the raft to swing the lock gate closed. which is a work of modern engineering since the gate (2 halves) get expanded as they swing shut by about a third its closed length.  Took me a long time and a lot of watching to figure that one out.
So....a twelve barge raft takes two movements (three car lock-thru and one car and tug lock-thru).
The cam hasn't stayed with very many complete barge and raft moves, so I haven't seen many and no 15 barge rafts, but I know the Corps of Engineers is supposed to lengthen all the locks on the Upper Mississippi to 600 feet lock gate to lock gate to accommodate a speedier passage for 15 barge rafts.  And that was supposed to be competed by 2023.
And those big nearly 600 ft. cruise ships that Viking has been building might have some influence too!
Maybe my two cents got a little wordy, but I've thought about it a lot and hope there are "experts" out there with more conclusive information.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on July 06, 2022, 05:11:11 PM
PLEASE, no big cruise ships on the Mississsloppy!
May get stuck cross wise in the lock  ;D

I've seen 16 car barges - took FOREVER to get thru the lock
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 07, 2022, 11:40:24 AM
Shep and eburg, thanks for the barge info!   I have to agree that the rivers do NOT need cruise ships designed for the oceans! 

On topic of this forum, Zooey got prey, possibly a mourning dove, and consumed it for your closeup watching if you care to . . .

Nice purplish dawn on this 7-7-22 day, maybe purple is a portent of something.

Thanks to the cam ops who keep the views interesting for all of us watchers.   :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 07, 2022, 12:43:56 PM
Couldn't agree more with you.  Don't want to see Viking on the Mississippi.  They don't need to pollute the Mississippi.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: eburgbirdwtchr on July 07, 2022, 01:29:27 PM
As per the cruise ships....they already operate from New Orleans to St. Louis.  They're just waiting for the Corps of Engineers to expand the locks to 600 feet so they can continue on to Minneapolis/St. Paul.  And the boats aren't like the ocean-goers.  They're long and thin and only three or four decks above the waterline.  Just a matter of time.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 07, 2022, 07:25:33 PM
 :o   :'(    My thoughts about cruise ships that are so big that locks have to be enlarged to accommodate them.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 08, 2022, 02:09:57 AM
Hope the Corps of Engineers drags their feet.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on July 08, 2022, 06:17:14 AM
Hope the Corps of Engineers drags their feet.

Actually ACoE is VERY fast and efficient ......
 .....   once they get started
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 08, 2022, 11:14:59 AM
Whose side are you on SHEP?  LOL
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on July 08, 2022, 12:10:09 PM
Whose side are you on SHEP?  LOL

jas, the military cant start without permisison and funding
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on July 08, 2022, 06:06:24 PM
That's interesting about the gates expanding, never knew that!!!  If they enlarged the locks it WOULD help with the bigger barges.  "The American Queen is said to be the largest river steamboat ever built at 418 feet."
https://www.aqvoyages.com/vessels/american-queen/
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on July 08, 2022, 06:07:02 PM
Now if we'd just see a juvie from GSB.  :-\
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on July 11, 2022, 06:59:41 AM
July 11 at 6.55 am
2 long trains, 1 standing still as other SLOWLY passes

looks like RRP did go look, but they arent reporting why

Posted on Explore
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/7dc73f9775c6860fe492ab8e81dae358c3888274752b878c385f25a41843dec2.jpg

AMERICA on the move
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/234b09770a405da2f19b95f994e42556f869b6fa27ada8bc7b4704278f8b536d.png



Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 11, 2022, 11:14:43 AM
Shep, that's a great picture of the wide view with bluff and nest box, river with barge and powerboat.  And the one from Explore looks like it must have been taken from the ground.  No sign of the young peregrines, alas.

Another technicolor dawn.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on July 11, 2022, 02:35:46 PM
Someone coulda taken that shot from the hiway.
If they were there they could HEAR the peregrins
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 11, 2022, 04:25:13 PM
Saw a white van parked on the nest side of the highway.  It was parked when the trains passed.  When was the last time Zooey and Newman were positively identified?

Anyone know what this little doll is?  Wren?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on July 11, 2022, 04:46:32 PM
I dont think its a wren
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on July 11, 2022, 09:25:53 PM
I'd say house wren, I got this off a bird website and we used to have a family when we lived in Cresco.  Haven't seen any since we moved here.

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLVroNPvk1-vTTimJKcwMvVhu-Pza3UGe1vKU7CcCV1b-DunORtVdl0OOn0M2CUEfTqZCdY92gFO8Z14WihHvHiTujSTVWteBkyGploZXTe1Vrsvt3P9rijasbAQPzIvhjpAY3e-rKZim7eDuc_tZ_EEgw=w688-h860-no?authuser=0)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on July 11, 2022, 09:26:14 PM
Where did someone think RRP checked on something?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on July 12, 2022, 05:39:39 AM
Where did someone think RRP checked on something?

I dont know if RRP checked or not.
SOMEONE posted a photo on explore of cliff nestbox is on
it was taken from the hwy below
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 12, 2022, 06:22:33 AM
NORA, there was a white van parked on the grass near the trees below the nest box.  It looked like the side of the van was open and someone was moving around.  Don't know for sure what they were doing but it would make sense that someone took the picture mentioned by SHEP from the ground.  I don't think the cam could be positioned to angle up the cliff like in that photo.  Thank you for helping with the bird ID.  The long sharp beak is what confused me.  At first I thought it looked like a large brown hummingbird.  No such thing.  Then I thought a creeper but the markings made me think wren.  Next time I see my House Wren I am going to pay more attention to his beak.  Usually when I see him, he is yelling at me. LOL
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 12, 2022, 10:25:17 AM
About the small brown bird that might be a wren.  Remember that the website, AllAboutBirds can be very helpful in identifying the birds found by RRPs intrepid camera operators.  There are six or so species of wren, and this one sure looks like a house wren to me, too.

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 13, 2022, 09:33:23 AM
STL, I have enough birding books to fill an entire bookcase.  That includes the one you told me about last year, The Birds of Iowa.  I took a graduate course in Ornithology and some of my books are out of print by now.  LOL
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 13, 2022, 11:37:33 AM
Jaspurr, sounds like you have the resources and expertise to be our expert on identifying the "extra" birds found by the cam ops!   :D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 13, 2022, 02:02:16 PM
I can always use your help.  The graduate course was about 20 years ago.  The memory is not as good as it use to be.  LOL
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 13, 2022, 06:44:09 PM
Happy to help, Jaspurr!  Here's probably Newman preening on the large feeding ledge this early evening.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 14, 2022, 08:22:04 AM
Handsome Newman.  ;D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on July 14, 2022, 01:22:10 PM
FULL MOON
July 14, 2022
12 car barge comin downriver!

3.15 pm another barge comes downriver


Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 14, 2022, 02:04:53 PM
Gorgeous SHEP.  The ATF is going to have another paddle boat cruise on Sunday.  If they head to the bluffs my hologram will be on the bow  waving to you.  I won't be there is body this year but definitely in spirit.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 14, 2022, 03:35:17 PM
SHEP, I watched that barge you were talking about.  It looked like they had to split it into two sections of 6 each to get it through the lock.  I can see where the tug can push the second part but I didn't see a tug to get the first half out.  Don't they need a second tug to pull the first half out?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on July 14, 2022, 06:13:22 PM
I thot I saw 2 tugs
usually the extra tug is notified in advance of barge arrival
love barges
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: eburgbirdwtchr on July 14, 2022, 07:24:32 PM
Hope I'm not buttin' in uninvited, but there's a "donkey" on the land side of the locks that pulls the barges out of the lock and out along the extended rail.  It's got a track from one end to the other, the guys that you see walking up to the front of the barge raft, they cable up the tow and an electric motored "donkey" pulls the raft along.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 14, 2022, 09:44:59 PM
Of course you are not butting in Eburg.  That makes sense.  I knew there had to be something that I wasn't seeing.  This is what they do in the Panama Canal.  Thanks.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 17, 2022, 08:51:21 AM
I just got word that members of the RRP ATF will be on the boat leaving LaCrosse at 11am.  I asked them to get on the bow and wave to the GSB camera.  I will be watching and hope the cam ops know this.   ;D


Is this one of the E's??? ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 17, 2022, 09:47:18 AM
Better shot Zooey
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 17, 2022, 11:00:05 AM
jaspurr, thanks for the heads up about the ATF river boat cruise today.  Hope to see everyone on deck as they pass by GSB.

The  Peregrine in your pic is likely Newman or Zooey.  Looks like it's molting time.  The juveniles would be brown and white.  Gray and white as adults.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 17, 2022, 11:28:41 AM
Thank STL, they should be on their way.  I am chilling out with my coffee. ;D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 17, 2022, 02:46:36 PM
Waving Back at YOU!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on July 17, 2022, 03:41:09 PM
Love it jasper - thanks
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 17, 2022, 04:05:30 PM
Great pics of the ATF cruise, jaspurr!  Here are a couple more.  That boat moves a lot faster than the barges, and doesn't need to use the locks.
Wonder if they saw Zooey perched on the feeding ledge below the nest box or elsewhere nearby?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on July 17, 2022, 05:25:37 PM
Neat seeing the tour boat with ATF guys on it!!! 

Yep on that one picture, Zooey.   :(
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 18, 2022, 12:19:50 PM
Another red dawn at GSB, with adult Peregrine, possibly both Newman and Zooey are perching here and there.

Awaiting some new views from yesterday's ATF cruisers.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 18, 2022, 03:40:39 PM
That's a 15-unit barge headed upriver this afternoon, about 2:00.  Marquette Transportation is the name of the towboat pushing it.  Maybe it is empty, and not so heavy to push against the current.

River drivers call the boat that pushes a barge a towboat instead of a tugboat.  They consider tugs as smaller and in saltwater, according to Google search.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: eburgbirdwtchr on July 18, 2022, 05:17:36 PM
Thanks for the info STL.  Towboat Bill and Towboat Annie don't sound quite right tho'?  :D ;)

And I wonder if "the driver" is still Captain.....or Commodore?  Wish we could ask Mark Twain.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on July 19, 2022, 10:03:34 AM
I think they're still "captain".  Those really have power for one to push that many units upstream.  It's sad we haven't seen any sign of the juvies except that one time when it was first down.  I only hope if something happened to them it was fast and they didn't suffer.  :-\
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on July 19, 2022, 10:14:58 AM
Its disappointing, yes, that we didnt see juvies.
Nature is what it is.
Remember there is an abundance of falcons in this area
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 19, 2022, 11:27:48 AM
SHEP, STL, NORA.        OLDGUY posted this in the Lounge Forum.  John Howe talked about the GSB during his presentation at the ATF.  I am sure that OLDGUY won't mind me sharing what he posted in the forum with you.
"John reported that cam operators were not able to locate either of the Peregrine falcons that jumped early...  The nest will be replaced for next year with a camouflaged box that will look like a log.  They are also planning to do some fly control treatments.  The Flyway is also getting upgrades - a second cam location - with new pole and solar power unit"

I think OLDGUY meant the three e's that jumped early.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 19, 2022, 12:07:34 PM
Jaspurr, thanks for the post with info about next season at GSB and the Flyway.  Good news.  And it's really sad that Newman and Zooey's 3 chicks from this year didn't survive the early jump from the nest box.  Makes us realize how hard it is for these wild raptors!

Couple morning pics of Zooey. This is the time of year when Peregrines in the Midwest do their molting, and she is looking spiffy.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on July 19, 2022, 04:21:52 PM
Zooey is so peachy colored.  :-*
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 19, 2022, 04:54:46 PM
She is stunning!  So much so that she had company on the feeding ledge for a while this afternoon.  Rewind to about 1:00 to see a second adult at the left side, way in the back, just the face in the pic. I'm guessing that it is Newman.  Zooey stayed on the ledge most of the afternoon, but I'm not sure when or if the other Peregrine flew away.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on July 20, 2022, 07:10:29 AM
ONLY a QUESTION

Does anyone wonder if Zoey has been fighting?

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 20, 2022, 11:18:39 AM
Zooey fighting?  Hadn't crossed my mind.  What have you noticed, Shep?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 20, 2022, 03:06:31 PM
SHEP, what have you noticed.  You can't ask a question like that and leave us hanging.   :o. When was the last time someone saw Newman?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 20, 2022, 03:47:08 PM
Jaspurr, about Newman's whereabouts -- two adult peregrines were on the feeding ledge yesterday.  One was Zooey and I am guessing that the other one was Newman.  It's not breeding season any more, so the pair bonds may not be very strong -- that's another guess!  The folks at Explore may have more recent information.  Please, chime in you-all.   :D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on July 21, 2022, 12:50:05 AM
Wasn't this Newman this afternoon?  (7/20)
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLVo0FahFSayPVzsLSJhGdNw0AHt-Kn9O42ukXEA-hr8LYYTVstqV8ynPiTJZV5nA6EyUsBJhXVoCA5XXOHprhytua7dmNjHK7PJ49teIVFafCxvNYMM4vrNxB4AdLcyD6tYYrJddn7PTTdUIOQStSaA5A=w1030-h575-no?authuser=0)

(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/pw/AM-JKLXR4yx0rz7LrVLK08LdoNbatnJMc8QZ3t6NS6paSZk0BEgJ4xkyF6Il3KcXM53KEZfRbpUM9jbJMcS2zVEXQSVIdfIYFW_huna0wu8VaqleiCKz48SjAhHF1_XKXmgrKjusDr15NlMHo1PdyxDGOMdmug=w1020-h576-no?authuser=0)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 21, 2022, 08:17:47 AM
NORA, looks like Newman to me.  I thought Newman was the one that liked sitting on the ledge.  I saw Zooey this morning sitting on the dead tree branch below the box.  She flew off and the cam ops were able to follow her as she flew out over the Mississippi.  She looked fine to me.   :)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 21, 2022, 11:53:21 AM
Newman again this morning.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: eburgbirdwtchr on July 22, 2022, 04:27:05 AM
Here's something from decorahnews that might interest cliff cam watchers:

https://decorahnews.com/news/5678/delays-cause-viking-river-cruises-to-cancel-the-two-planned-mississippi-river-trips-in-august/
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 22, 2022, 08:23:44 AM
They are not only going to ruin the Mississippi but Decorah as well.  Great. 
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 22, 2022, 11:14:52 AM
Cam ops found a beautiful dragonfly this morning about 9AM, resting on one of the dead tree limbs on the bluff.  Might be a female common green darner -- I looked for Iowa Dragonflies and found a photo from 2005.  What do you think?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Nora in IA on July 22, 2022, 03:24:22 PM
Beautiful dragonfly!!

Sounds like a good day to avoid Decorah with that many "invading", although that's a lot less than will be in Decorah during Nordifest.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 23, 2022, 12:26:34 PM
Zooey in the morning light
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on July 24, 2022, 06:35:31 AM
(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/a001d65cb3675357dada3ca4378b4055bcfdcfe0118f564cfae7064ae0ee7993.png)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 24, 2022, 08:13:02 AM
LOL SHEP.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 24, 2022, 02:03:58 PM
About noon today, two Ps on the feeding ledge, Newman and Zooey?  Optical illusion perhaps, but one bird looks MUCH larger than the other.  What gives?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 24, 2022, 03:47:27 PM
STL, I have given up on trying to identify these two.  Every time I think it is Newman it turns out to be Zooey.  All I know for sure is that Zooey is the falcon that lays the eggs.  LOL  I hope that hasn't changed.  Isn't the female suppose to be larger than the male? 
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 24, 2022, 06:02:21 PM
Jaspurr, I looked up peregrines in AllAboutBirds, and the females are noticeably larger and more robust than the males.  So when N and Z are on camera together, the ID is easy.  It's when they are solo that we have trouble sometimes.  He's more white underparts, and she has the rusty, peachy color.  I recall that Nora has mentioned something about Newman's other feathering, but what???  I really like your laying eggs feature!   ;D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 25, 2022, 08:02:04 AM
Does this look like white dots on head.  I think Ginger said this is an id for one of the falcons but now I can't find her post. :-\. The second photo is definitely peachy.  This must be Zooey in one of her few cooperative moods when she is facing the camera.  :D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 25, 2022, 10:55:13 AM
Jaspurr, I agree with you about the white dots as ID feature for Newman.  After molting, who knows if the dots will be there.  And peachy Zooey, for sure.

One was perched on the nest box camera housing early this morning, and both on the feeding ledge about 6:30 AM.  Newman is the smaller of the two.  Zooey, like Peregrine adult females, is a hunk!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 26, 2022, 10:38:24 AM
Newman, white dots.  I think I have this ID.  It was Ginger who posted the white dots ID.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on July 26, 2022, 11:20:56 AM
Jaspurr, what's the date on the pic of Newman that you posted from Ginger?  We'll see if Newman retains the white feather dots on his head. 

Meanwhile, here's Zooey in all her peachy finery this morning.  Must go back to the rewind to get a pic of Newman today. . . . And here he is, see pic.

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on July 26, 2022, 11:56:32 AM
STL, I don't know what happened to it.  I went back through the posts and could not find it.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on August 01, 2022, 03:54:38 PM
Here's a different visitor to the nest box camera housing this afternoon.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on August 04, 2022, 09:25:04 AM
HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY BRTHDAY Nora from me, Zooey and Newman.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on August 06, 2022, 02:39:34 PM
Zooey on the nest box camera housing this morning early.  She was on the feeding ledge also but no pic.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on August 06, 2022, 03:31:46 PM
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DEAR NORA!

3.25 pm August 6
Train goin north, train goin south passin each other.
AMERICA on the move!



Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on August 06, 2022, 05:08:28 PM
Shep, the southbound train had 5 engines, I believe.  Pulling a really long train, or over mountains?  The northbound was on a siding and standing still.  There's a protocol about which train gets the right of way, isn't there?  Thanks for the heads-up.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: eburgbirdwtchr on August 07, 2022, 01:17:07 PM
Once again, we have SOUND!!!   Thank you RRP I-tech for working on a Sunday!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on August 12, 2022, 10:41:00 AM
Great colors at sunrise, Zooey on the feeding ledge & nest box perch, Newman on a dead branch, light rain, typical August morning.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on August 14, 2022, 04:58:34 PM
Rewind to about 2:00 this afternoon to watch a large barge coming downstream and through the locks.  Great closeups.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on August 16, 2022, 10:44:57 AM
Thank you for the spectacular sunrise STL.

NORA, hope you had a wonderful birthday.

I never get tired of watching the Mississippi and the bluffs in the morning with my cup of coffee.  Takes me away from the chaotic world I live in. I may not be posting but you can be sure that I am watching.   ;D.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on August 20, 2022, 06:39:27 AM
August 20, 2022
Sharing pics off Explore of the approaching storm Aug 19
Black clouds in turmoil - the storm is upon us!

I love the pics of boats n barges!
Thanks peeps


(https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/432bf0b252b3469126c1bedeb659a91059be4ff27b554b9e9bc3563618b5c6f0.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on August 20, 2022, 08:11:24 AM
That is one frightening looking storm SHEP.  :o.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on August 21, 2022, 04:46:06 PM
GSB camera still turned on. Here is Newman at 4:30PM.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on August 21, 2022, 05:20:49 PM
If you get cam-starved, watch the Aussie falcon.
She lays 3 eggs last week of August every year
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on August 22, 2022, 08:09:47 AM
Good morning SHEP and STL

Gorgeous sunrise from the Bluff cam this morning.  I hope they don't turn it off.  :(

Thanks for the info on the Australian cam SHEP. 
Is this the cam SHEP?
https://www.sea-eaglecam.org/video.html

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on August 22, 2022, 08:16:26 AM
Aussie falcon shud lay egg any day
https://raptorresource.org/raptorresource/forum/index.php?topic=2701.90


Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on August 24, 2022, 03:13:31 PM
3 pm August 24
AHA!  I wondered why the upstream barge grouonded to one side.
Here comes a downstream barge.  Got it.
Uppy parked so Downy could make the turn.

Uppy is still to the side - will he need the tug to haul him out?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on August 27, 2022, 11:27:58 AM
August 27, 2022
11 am  there are several loons out there on the flyway with eagles etc etc
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on August 28, 2022, 08:12:46 AM
The Mississippi flyway is busy.  Thank you for the picture SHEP.  Heavy rain, thunder and lightning when I was on the live cam last night.  Western WI is getting a lot of these storms this year.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on August 31, 2022, 07:56:01 AM
Aug 31 report -
Aug 29 and 30 I saw a lot of diving and swooping and zooming past the cam.
It was really cool.

Tomorrow September
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on September 01, 2022, 11:20:22 AM
What do you think it was.  In your expert opinion what do you think it means?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on September 01, 2022, 03:37:06 PM
I suspect it was our falcons enjoying the thermals
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on September 01, 2022, 03:38:40 PM
GSB cam ops found a flock of cormorants on a submerged branch below the nest box area.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on September 02, 2022, 02:37:45 PM
2.35 pm Sept 2  jackpot
I see a soaring bird (ealge? ) and a barge coming downstream
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on September 04, 2022, 07:30:33 AM
Sept 4, 2022 SONday
7 am or shortly after I heard the falcons echupping in RLD - under the ledge.
Maybe they will nest under there next spring.
I wonder if RRP will make any cam arrangements.
I really dont want them to do any dangerous trix for a cam.

7.51 am A LARGE ODD BARGE coming downriver
16 units - dunno whats on there
being followed by a tug to guide it

OMG!   :o
8.12 am  Here comes another barge!  Cam needs to be on locks

2 pm another downriver barge  small one.
We have no cam op today

Explore has a few pics,  I shud steal one ....
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/00e84b3b0a5ba7622054bae67c4b5ec1e5bd8934cea0356a0fbb0c1f88c7c6e2.png

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on September 05, 2022, 11:42:16 AM
Morning closeups of Newman and Zooey.  Thanks cam ops for working on Labor Day!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: T40cfr403 on September 07, 2022, 12:38:50 PM
Peregrine falcon's killing punch

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DSaGIIBoeMM&ab_channel=GlenLoyd
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on September 08, 2022, 11:44:19 AM
Thanks for the video!

Beautiful sunrise colors this morning as foggy clouds drift over the water.  And Zooey (I think) on the feeding ledge, just looking fine.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on September 11, 2022, 07:41:35 AM
Falcons are impressive flyers and hunters, very highly skilled and quick
https://youtu.be/IuP8UMm2k2Y

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on September 16, 2022, 02:11:38 PM
Yes, Shep, falcons and amazing acrobatic flyers, and we are lucky to have them in N. America.

At GSB, peregrine is still around, probably Newman, this morning.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on September 16, 2022, 02:32:36 PM
They are feeling the call south and will soon leave Minnesnowta.
I wonder if Z has taken off yet

( forgive me, I just hate the name Zoey )
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on September 17, 2022, 09:20:55 AM
September 16, 2022
Is this Z still around?

AMERICA, AMERICA!  God shed His Grace on thee ....
and crown thy good with BROTHERHOOD ....

pics off explore





Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on September 23, 2022, 03:59:20 PM
Zooey was around the perching places mid-day today.  Most likely it was Zooey.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on September 23, 2022, 04:02:04 PM
One large barge headed northbound through the locks about 1:00 this afternoon, and another headed south about 3:45.  Great camera work!

Closeup views of the early fall foliage, and an unknown flowering bush.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on September 23, 2022, 04:08:44 PM
WELCOME TO AUTUMN!
Fall, flowers and commerce.
Thank you.
September 24, 2022

Blue Jay is NOT besties with Zoey   ;D
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/bb4a0662c5ad375b4ebb2ec5b20e9d684ff2ee550a65d3ed5679250387260f1f.jpg
https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/97346d9cb032e347b29803f5a297b84faf76f15dd6914d4b6641459b5e41ee3d.jpg
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on September 25, 2022, 02:32:47 PM
Shep, blue jays seem to scream at every creature they encounter.  They are particularly P.O.ed at me when I'm cleaning their birdbath!

Fall is my favorite season.  Love all the colors.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on September 26, 2022, 03:51:11 PM
 8)  SHEP
September 26, 2022
I posted on Explore - I dont this is falcon is ours.
He was sitting on the cam - like Z does / did
Lo n behold I was right.
THIS tells me our pair have likely left the area

DONT TELL ME ... THIS FALCONs NAME .. is ...  SHEP

THANKS to Terka on bcaw posted these pics
Bless you dear Terka!
https://youtu.be/ICn1ygkKB40

https://i.postimg.cc/XYNrmY7b/Przechwytywanie-w-trybie-pe-noekranowym-26-09-2022-204813.jpg
https://i.postimg.cc/k5zD2NNJ/Przechwytywanie-w-trybie-pe-noekranowym-26-09-2022-203526.jpg


Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on September 27, 2022, 12:13:08 PM
Shep, nice to have a namesake Peregrine!  That bird is banded, so definitely not Newman or Zooey. 

There's one perched at the nest box this morning, unbanded, rusty, guessing it's Zooey.  I'd really like it to be Zooey.   :D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on September 29, 2022, 09:39:40 AM
Morning views at the end of September.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: T40cfr403 on October 01, 2022, 03:12:44 PM
Great Spirit Bluff Falcons : Banded Falcon Visitor Shep A 78 (explore.org 09 26 2022)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JOhpT9WOp7g&ab_channel=MSNBC
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on October 01, 2022, 03:34:32 PM
Shep is definitely sizing the box up for 2023 breeding season!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on October 05, 2022, 12:07:14 PM
Seems like picture quality has recently improved here at GSB and also at the Flyway. Am I correct? New cameras?

Brilliant sunrise today, and a peregrine in the area.  Not so much barge traffic that I have seen, but trains and paddle-wheeler tourist boats are fun to watch.  Fall foliage is beautiful also.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on October 05, 2022, 12:13:42 PM
Due to the drought, the Mississippi River is very low.
Barges cant carry as much load.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on October 05, 2022, 04:21:58 PM
Drought here in the midwest, too much rain and flooding elsewhere, except where there are raging wildfires.  What a mess we have made of this planet.  I live south of the Flyway that we watch, close to but not in sight of the Mississippi. Probably barge traffic is restricted here, too.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on October 05, 2022, 04:28:26 PM
Its October and shippers want to get goods shipped by barge before the river freezes -  so low water level is pretty serious.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on October 09, 2022, 02:45:06 PM
Low river levels probably means an increase in freight train and truck traffic.  South of Missouri, even barges with smaller loads are getting stuck.

Fall colors are lovely in the GSB area. 
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on October 11, 2022, 12:05:07 PM
Cedar trees have ripe blue berries that cedar waxwings love this time of year.  I believe that juniper berries are used to make gin.  No wonder the birds love them.   ;)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on October 12, 2022, 12:54:27 PM
Beautiful fall colors, improving every day.  Enjoy watching the cedar waxwings gorging on berries.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on October 13, 2022, 05:03:24 PM
Great Spirit Bluff is putting on a most colorful show this fall!  Barge traveling light from north to south.  Couple of trains.

Rusty-feathers on the perching Peregrine extend to the back of the head. 
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on October 14, 2022, 04:46:50 AM
That train sat parked on the tracks a very long time - wonder why.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on October 14, 2022, 05:58:19 PM
Shep, train maybe waiting for the tracks to clear further along, or for another train with priority to pass by going the other direction.  Just guessing!

This afternoon, 3:00 or so, a flock of swallows was active flying in and out of a round entrance on the cliff face, to the left of the nest box. There's a species called cliff swallows that occupy most of North America.  Experts, were these cliff swallows?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on October 18, 2022, 10:42:06 AM
Unbanded adult peregrine perched at the nest box this morning for a couple hours.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on October 18, 2022, 12:40:31 PM
October 18, 2022
Serious drought limits barge traffic on river
https://www.naturalnews.com/2022-10-16-bean-piles-mississippi-river-barges-rver.html#

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on October 23, 2022, 11:22:36 AM
Fall colors peaking at GSB while we all wait for needed rain along the Mississippi.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on October 23, 2022, 02:53:53 PM
October 23, 2022
Noon a baby barge of 6 cars went thru locks

2.45 pm  a 16 car barge came down river very carefully guided by a tug

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on October 24, 2022, 11:52:05 AM
October 24  NOON
Skinny barge racing downriver - wheee!
Whats on it/ Propane tanks?

2.30 pm
12 car barge comes down river
Tug #2 awaits to help it

Foliage is awesome purdy!

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on October 25, 2022, 10:15:43 AM
Little birds active this morning, see Cardinal pic. Also downy woodpecker and wren that I didn't catch for a pic.

2-car barge that matches the fall foliage coming downstream about 8:30 AM.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on October 25, 2022, 10:51:57 AM
BEAUTIFUL!
Thats another skinny barge.  Tug and entire barge can transit lock all at once.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on October 30, 2022, 01:04:20 PM
Colorful dawn views today, and another interesting barge configuration this morning.

The Raptor Resource Project & Explore.org label has disappeared from the live stream here at GSB and also on the Flyway live view.  Just sayin'.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on November 11, 2022, 10:37:13 AM
Large barge grouping headed south, through the locks this morning.  Looks high in the water, so perhaps mostly empty, maybe just moving the containers.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on November 11, 2022, 03:07:19 PM
Eagles on watch and tundra swans feeding this afternoon.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: LORIDAVIS on November 15, 2022, 09:13:12 AM
This morning... ;D

GSB GREAT SPIRIT BLUFFS
(https://i.gyazo.com/3503bbd8ffe5dfe4d9859b36577c2f2d.gif)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on November 15, 2022, 11:52:12 AM
SNOWING
Nov 15, 2022
Yep - noticed on Decorah cam
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on November 17, 2022, 03:03:11 PM
Tundra swans in great abundance all over the area.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on November 18, 2022, 12:14:26 PM
There's a peregrine at the nest box this morning!  It's unbanded, adult, very rusty feathers on breast and face.  Eating a small blackish bird, on top of the camera housing.  Also a pair of adult BEs in the brushy trees down the way from the nest box, at noon.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on November 18, 2022, 12:51:01 PM
I wonder if Zoey's still around
She loved to perch on the cam

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: jaspurr on November 19, 2022, 02:57:18 PM
STL, beautiful picture of the swans.  I am guessing that we don't know who the falcon is?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on November 19, 2022, 03:24:13 PM
Jaspurr, as far as I know, we don't know the falcon from yesterday.  And this afternoon, there's ice forming on the river, with ducks and geese swimming in the open water and walking on the rest.  No pics.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on November 20, 2022, 03:17:54 PM
Chat room for the Flyway has a video posted of BEs pack hunting the ducks trapped in open water with ice all around, might be from the 18th or 19th.  Eagles are so clever about ways to survive.

This afternoon, about 2:30, an adult BE is perched in a treetop very close to the southbound highway under the falcon nest box bluff. Better on the rewind, but see also pics.  Wonder if it is watching for rabbits or squirrels.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on November 24, 2022, 05:59:59 AM
HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on November 24, 2022, 04:26:28 PM
Shep, same to you and to all the RRP folks all over the world.  We have many things to be thankful for, especially raptors and the opportunity to watch them.    ;D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on November 27, 2022, 06:56:23 AM
Good Morning !


Great Spirit Bluff Falcons - Cliff View
(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/6/20221127T125242_1161485.ts.jpg)
Nov 27, 2022 6:53 AM
Camera Time: Nov 27, 2022 6:52 AM CST
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on December 01, 2022, 09:10:35 AM
December 1, 2022
I heard an OWL this morning!
I've never heard any owls here before - where I live.
I muted my TV and listened.
I went - hoo hoo - lol - and the owl answered me!   :D
I think it was a pair of GHO
We are entering mating season for them.
Eggs laid about Feb 1

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 01, 2022, 10:38:20 AM
Lovely sunrise from the bluff.

Great Spirit Bluff Falcons - Cliff View

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/8/20221201T125028_1334218.ts.jpg)
Dec 1, 2022 6:50 AM
Camera Time: Dec 1, 2022 6:50 AM CST
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 01, 2022, 10:42:16 AM
Shep  "I went - hoo hoo - lol - and the owl answered me!  "  that close ,wow.
Can hardly wait for Zooey to return. Hope she does.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on December 01, 2022, 04:09:44 PM
Spectacular sunrise colors today at GSB.  Here are two more, within minutes of each other.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 02, 2022, 07:10:10 AM
Great Spirit Bluff Falcons - Cliff View

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/9/20221202T130724_1377926.ts.jpg)
Dec 2, 2022 7:07 AM
Camera Time: Dec 2, 2022 7:07 AM CST
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on December 02, 2022, 11:49:04 AM
The River has begun to form ice
December 2, 2022

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 02, 2022, 03:19:09 PM
Thanks. I thought that's what I saw when I posted. But wasn't sure, do didn't say.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 03, 2022, 06:55:51 AM

Icy river
(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/9/20221203T125156_1420662.ts.jpg)

Dec 3, 2022 6:52 AM
Camera Time: Dec 3, 2022 6:51 AM CST
Birchwoman (Me)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 03, 2022, 07:01:52 AM


A  color contrasting view

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/9/20221203T125928_1420888.ts.jpg)
Dec 3, 2022 6:59 AM
Camera Time: Dec 3, 2022 6:59 AM CST
Birchwoman
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 04, 2022, 07:27:38 AM

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/10/20221204T131030_1464419.ts.jpg)
Dec 4, 2022 7:10 AM
Camera Time: Dec 4, 2022 7:10 AM CST
Birchwoman(Me)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 04, 2022, 07:53:15 AM
A lone bald eagle---or is it part of a convocation?
(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/10/20221204T134438_1465443.ts.jpg)

Dec 4, 2022 7:45 AM
Camera Time: Dec 4, 2022 7:44 AM CST

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 04, 2022, 07:54:40 AM
Off it goes...

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/10/20221204T134518_1465463.ts.jpg)
Dec 4, 2022 7:45 AM
Camera Time: Dec 4, 2022 7:45 AM CST
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 04, 2022, 07:56:52 AM
And there it lands...

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/10/20221204T134626_1465497.ts.jpg)
Dec 4, 2022 7:46 AM
Camera Time: Dec 4, 2022 7:46 AM CST
Birchwoman
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 04, 2022, 07:59:08 AM
...the convocation increased by one.
(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/10/20221204T134730_1465529.ts.jpg)

Dec 4, 2022 7:47 AM
Camera Time: Dec 4, 2022 7:47 AM CST
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 04, 2022, 08:02:25 AM
And,maybe a duck.
(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/10/20221204T140004_1465906.ts.jpg)

Dec 4, 2022 8:00 AM
Camera Time: Dec 4, 2022 8:00 AM CST
Birchwoman
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 05, 2022, 07:55:28 AM
Great Spirit Bluff Falcons - Cliff View

If this doesn't make one say, "Brrrr!' and shiver with cold.
(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/11/20221205T133752_1508440.ts.jpg)
Dec 5, 2022 7:38 AM
Camera Time: Dec 5, 2022 7:37 AM CST
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on December 05, 2022, 03:12:27 PM
ICE
The END of barge season
America frozen!


Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 06, 2022, 07:09:37 AM
Great Spirit Bluff Falcons - Cliff View

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/11/20221206T130748_1550738.ts.jpg)
Dec 6, 2022 7:08 AM
Camera Time: Dec 6, 2022 7:07 AM CST
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on December 06, 2022, 11:27:14 AM
Nice sunrise, Phyl.  The cam ops also bring us ultra-closeups of the plant life at GSB.  Not sure what this red berry is. Anyone?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 06, 2022, 06:05:01 PM
STL  I don't sit at the cams all day. I just capture what I see when I'm online watcing ;  Not sure, some sort of berry. Was  this in the GSB area and state?

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 06, 2022, 06:06:07 PM

Great Spirit Bluff Falcons - Cliff View
Dec 6, 2022 5:57 PM
Camera Time: Dec 6, 2022 5:57 PM CST

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/12/20221206T235728_1570228.ts.jpg)




Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 07, 2022, 07:21:29 AM
Great Spirit Bluff Falcons - Cliff View

Foggy and icy...Brrr! And, yuck.
(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/12/20221207T131546_1594177.ts.jpg)

Dec 7, 2022 7:16 AM
Camera Time: Dec 7, 2022 7:15 AM CST
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 08, 2022, 07:29:22 PM
Dec 8, 2022 4:50 PM
Camera Time: Dec 8, 2022 4:50 PM CST

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/13/20221208T225014_1654611.ts.jpg)
So cold and desolate looking.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 09, 2022, 10:33:46 AM
Dec 9, 2022 10:31 AM
Camera Time: Dec 9, 2022 10:30 AM CS

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/13/20221209T163036_1686422.ts.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on December 09, 2022, 04:55:51 PM
Looking wintery at GSB, for sure!

Flock of diving ducks feeding early this afternoon in open water.  Possibly common mergansers.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 09, 2022, 04:59:32 PM
Tks. these are great.
 ;)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 12, 2022, 08:31:01 AM
Camera Time: Dec 12, 2022 7:48 AM CST

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/14/20221212T134856_1811172.ts.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 12, 2022, 08:34:12 AM
Camera Time: Dec 12, 2022 8:31 AM CST

Now there's more than ice...ducks moving about.
(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/14/20221212T143154_1812461.ts.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 13, 2022, 08:12:40 AM

Dec 13, 2022 8:08 AM
Camera Time: Dec 13, 2022 8:08 AM CST

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/15/20221213T140810_1854949.ts.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 14, 2022, 01:21:48 AM
Great Spirit Bluff Falcons - Cliff View
Dec 13, 2022 9:38 AM
Camera Time: Dec 13, 2022 9:37 AM CST


(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/15/20221213T153748_1857638.ts.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 15, 2022, 07:52:55 AM

Dec 15, 2022 7:50 AM
Camera Time: Dec 15, 2022 7:50 AM CST

Pretty view
(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/16/20221215T135012_1940810.ts.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 15, 2022, 08:10:56 AM

Dec 15, 2022 8:02 AM
Camera Time: Dec 15, 2022 8:02 AM CST

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/16/20221215T140224_1941176.ts.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on December 15, 2022, 08:42:37 AM
When I saw the Winter Wonderland
upriver and downriver
I thot - I HOPE PHYL GETS THESE SHOTS!

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 15, 2022, 11:31:22 AM
Shep I hope I didn't disappoint. LOL   These were just too lovely not to capture.
Thank You.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on December 15, 2022, 03:26:58 PM
We count out you!
You did a beautiful job.
Jack Frost painted it - just for you.  ;D

Winter Wonderlane
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 15, 2022, 07:16:46 PM
Shep many thanks. A 'Good Evening' to you and yours.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 16, 2022, 06:05:29 PM
Dec 16, 2022 10:24 AM
Camera Time: Dec 16, 2022 10:24 AM CST

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/16/20221216T162416_1988632.ts.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 16, 2022, 06:15:16 PM
Dec 16, 2022 11:51 AM
Camera Time: Dec 16, 2022 11:50 AM CST

Up close. Really up close

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/17/20221216T175044_1991226.ts.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 16, 2022, 06:16:07 PM
Dec 16, 2022 11:52 AM
Camera Time: Dec 16, 2022 11:51 AM CST

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/17/20221216T175142_1991255.ts.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on December 17, 2022, 05:58:31 AM
Still purdy, Phyl - thank you
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 17, 2022, 06:35:54 AM
Good Morning!
Thank you Shep.
Hope your day is a good one.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: clarindagirl on December 17, 2022, 09:31:09 AM
Beautiful Eagle Shots in the morning snow.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on December 17, 2022, 11:27:42 AM
Clarinda, yes beautiful eagles in the snowy branches.  They were soaring early before landing, and twittering, and soaring again later this morning.  Likely to be a mated pair, don't you think?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 17, 2022, 11:36:05 AM
Clarinda/ STL  your timeing is perfect for catching the eagles on the nest and branches.  Pretty eagles in the snow.
Thanks.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 17, 2022, 11:41:36 AM
Dec 17, 2022 11:38 AM
Camera Time: Dec 17, 2022 11:38 AM CST

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/17/20221217T173810_2034049.ts.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on December 17, 2022, 01:25:24 PM
Red-tailed hawk in the snowy branches at about 1:15 PM.  Looks like near where the eagles were earlier today.

Betcha the snow makes prey easier to see.  But also harder to catch.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: eburgbirdwtchr on December 17, 2022, 04:12:56 PM
Standing together looking on the same horizon....going opposite directions.  The story of my life!            ;) ??? :D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: clarindagirl on December 17, 2022, 04:36:12 PM
Clarinda, yes beautiful eagles in the snowy branches.  They were soaring early before landing, and twittering, and soaring again later this morning.  Likely to be a mated pair, don't you think?

Yes looked like a mated pair, especially when they were vocalizing. Your capture is also beautiful, how gorgeous they are.

Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: STLbf on December 18, 2022, 12:37:24 PM
Thanks Clarinda.  The pair is back on the same branch location today, 10:30 or so.  Why move when you have this branch already cleaned off?
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 18, 2022, 06:26:46 PM

Great Spirit Bluff Falcons - Cliff View
Dec 18, 2022 5:02 PM
Camera Time: Dec 18, 2022 5:01 PM CST

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/18/20221218T230138_2086953.ts.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on December 19, 2022, 03:30:20 PM
Phyl thats nice- with the lights
Lower river isnt ice
yet
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 20, 2022, 08:15:27 AM
Dec 20, 2022 7:51 AM
Camera Time: Dec 20, 2022 7:51 AM CST

Interesting how the sunlight makes part of the snowy cliff look like gold.

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/18/20221220T135116_2156842.ts.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on December 20, 2022, 11:54:56 AM
OMG
The GOLD RUSH is on!

 ;D
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 20, 2022, 06:18:26 PM
Shep  Indeed it is!  So cool!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Linda M on December 20, 2022, 06:41:30 PM
That's a really pretty effect; thanks for all the lovely photos, Phyl.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 21, 2022, 12:36:51 AM
Hi Linda! Y/W.    Hope all is well.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on December 21, 2022, 04:15:13 AM
CHRISTmas PEACE

The Star Documentary
https://youtu.be/55VRdLnkvDw

MERRY CHRISTmas everybirdy!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 28, 2022, 07:40:30 AM
Thank  you, Shep!
Hope your holidays are wonderful.
We got that bomb cyclone over Christmas---can't begin to say what a 'chillingly cold' experience that was !!! No electricity, then rolling blackouts, eating ice cold food, sitting in dark w/ candles, sleeping in our sweatsuits with forty-eleven quilts. 
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 28, 2022, 07:40:41 AM
Great Spirit Bluff Falcons - Cliff View
Dec 28, 2022 6:52 AM
Camera Time: Dec 28, 2022 6:52 AM CST

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/22/20221228T125224_2500676.ts.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on December 28, 2022, 07:58:05 AM
Phyl, I am happy to see you survived the winter blizzard the hypists called a bomb.
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 28, 2022, 08:02:25 AM
Thanks Shep!
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 28, 2022, 08:02:54 AM
Great Spirit Bluff Falcons - Cliff View
Dec 28, 2022 7:52 AM
Camera Time: Dec 28, 2022 7:52 AM CST

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/22/20221228T135238_2502483.ts.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 30, 2022, 03:55:10 AM
Great Spirit Bluff Falcons - Cliff View
Dec 29, 2022 3:50 PM
Camera Time: Dec 29, 2022 3:50 PM CST

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/24/20221229T215014_2560011.ts.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: Phyl on December 30, 2022, 07:06:39 PM
Great Spirit Bluff Falcons - Cliff View
Dec 30, 2022 10:13 AM
Camera Time: Dec 30, 2022 10:13 AM CST

(https://files.explore.org/sn/1970/9/23/20221230T161306_2593097.ts.jpg)
Title: Re: 2022 Great Spirit Bluff Falcons
Post by: shep on January 05, 2023, 08:27:26 AM
January 5, 2023