Scroll left
  • When I first spotted banded Peregrine Falcon P4 during the first week of February 2012 it was guarding its recent kill on an ocean beach near Ocean Park on the Long Beach Peninsula. width:640;;height:439
  • I call this heavy lifting. Peregrine Falcon P4 lifts its kill off the beach in an extraordinary display of power and agility. width:394;;height:480
  • Often times P4 would simply drag its kill to a new location on the beach where it felt more secure. width:640;;height:375
  • Several times P4 was forced to move away from its kill as the tide came in. width:640;;height:428
  • P4 would take a loop around the beach every so often to scan for interlopers or scavengers that could interupt its meal. width:518;;height:480
  • After a quick check of the terrain P4 landed to reclaim its kill. width:637;;height:480
  • At one point a gull (much like the victim) passed P4 and landed nearby. You wonder if the gull knew the victim. It kept its distance. width:443;;height:480
  • P4 defeathers its kill and lets the feathers disperse in the strong wind. width:588;;height:480
  • A couple of times P4 missed grabbing the kill as the tide rushed in and the dead gull would wash further up the beach. width:640;;height:389
  • During the feed a bald eagle came too close to the falcon's kill so it was time to move the eagle on further down the beach (which it did). width:640;;height:453
  • P4 always kept one talon on its kill as it ate, most likely to keep an intruder from swooping down and grabbing its kill. width:640;;height:389
  • P4 stood on its kill to brace itself as it defeathered the gull to get to the finer parts. width:640;;height:454
  • In a hurry and with only using one talon, the Peregrine Falcon P4 had to move its kill as the tide rushed in. width:507;;height:480
  • It was truly amazing to watch P4 hoist its kill which is larger than he is and move it to other parts of the beach. width:496;;height:480
  • P4 seem to build up strength and momentum as it lifted the gull off the beach. width:461;;height:480
  • Amazingly, despite the weight and size, P4 gained altitude. width:470;;height:480
  • P4 kept on climbing until it got to cruise altitude, maybe 30 or 40 feet over the ocean beach. width:512;;height:480
  • Peregrin Falcon P4 finishes up its kill. It flew off after gorging itself on the gull. width:640;;height:407
Scroll right