After returning from "up west" (as the older 'east-enders' are prone to say) around 5 PM, I decided to try the Riverhead, Suffolk Co. sod fields for migrating shorebirds. As I checked the w/s field along Route 105, I noticed about 12-15 Kildeers, working the plowed under strip closest the road. While looking them over, a number of hunkered down birds came into view. I started to think "goldens", but before getting a good look (they turned out to be Mourning Doves), all the birds started to scatter-a millisecond later, a low flying, juvenile peregrine came hurtling into the just vacated airspace in front of me. I was shielded from the actual "takedown" by a bush/tree,but got on the falcon again as it carried it's prey off to a nearby dirt farm road, where it started the feather plucking process.I used this time to drive to the dirt road, and begin walking, taking a wide, circuitous route to get the sun at my back for a photo shoot. By the time I reached my objective, the peregrine was about 3/4 done with it's meal. I'm glad I took the time, because I wound up with some really neat shots. After the falcon took off, I checked out the remains of what had been a plump MODO...I also got some neat shots of that too! Cheers, Bob -- NYSbirds-L List Info: http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsWELCOME http://www.NortheastBirding.com/NYSbirdsRULES
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