Bird Cams Around the World

I can't yet tell her personality, but in my mind I have been calling her Abigail. This name means father's joy, and I have no doubt that she (and her siblings) brought much joy to Zephyr. Remembering how he looked on the web cam, staring intently at his eggs and his chicks, makes me think that Zephyr's last months were very full indeed.

I am certainly open to other suggestions for names, though.

There was a tribute letter to Zephyr in the South Bend Tribune letters to the Editor. I don't know if the letter is on-line or not. I'm going to try to spot them tomorrow, it's been very hot here, but I'm sure G has been instructing in "beat the heat". Maybe they fly high and then dive bomb to cool off.

I am good with Abigail! Should we make it unofficially official?

sbwatcher, let us know any news about Abigail!

When I think of Abigail, the first person who comes to mind is the great, Abigail Adams. She was such a strong independent woman, a suitable mate for John Adams. She and the other Founding Mothers were instrumental in the success of our Founding Fathers. The wives stayed behind to run the family farms and businesses while their husbands were off creating the beginnings our great nation. How fitting that we name this young peregrine after someone so noble!

sbwatcher, I found 2 letters to the editor about Zephyr. Since the newspapers don't always keep these forever, I thought I would just copy and paste rather than provide the link to these letters in the South Bend Tribune.
The first on June 28, 2012
"Zephyr

Falcon followers all over Indiana are mourning the sudden death of South Bend's resident male peregrine falcon, Zephyr. Since 2003, Zephyr and his lifetime mate, Guinevere, have made downtown South Bend their home. Enthusiasts, interested residents and countless schoolchildren have had the extraordinary opportunity to watch the pair and their chicks through the lens of a live-web camera attached to the nesting box on top the County-City Building.

Yes, on a daily basis, Zephyr taught and reminded us how we should live our own lives. His love, nurturing, devotion, protection, companionship and parenting were on live display for those tuning in. Zephyr, who lost a leg apparently to an illegal trap last year, seemed to have conquered adversity and appeared to have beaten the odds, providing food for his family despite his handicap. Zephyr demonstrated the very humanlike ability to rise above adversity and succeed. What a story, what a majestic bird and, most importantly, what a lesson for all of us humans. RIP Zephyr.

Dan Bilancio
Mishawaka"

the second on June 29, 2012
"Zephyr
I was both surprised and truly saddened about the death of South Bend's most proud majestic raptor, Zephyr. His reign of 13 years has come to an end, but his memory will live on forever in my heart.
Also, God bless Carol Riewe for caring so much for these magnificent creatures. Rest in peace, Zephyr.

Patricia A. Myers
South Bend"

I saw no falcons today. I could not get downtown before 9 a.m. and it was already pretty hot by that time. My guess would be that they snagged an early breakfast before the heat hit and then left the area, maybe to one of the many wooded areas close by, and/or to the river. Downtown South Bend has only so many pigeons after all and Guinevere has to teach her daughter to live up to her peregrine heritage: wandering.

I will post when I know something, cause I know everyone is eager, but I only get downtown to watch a few times a week. Maybe Abigail is on the web cam at night, (probably after 10:00 p.m. EST) and one of you will see her before I do, since I've got no more web cam access. ( The computer I use has disabled many plug-ins.)


Thanks for liking the name Abigail ! It's awfully nice of you all to choose it !

And thanks gigi for the info on Abigail Adams. Hopefully this little falcon will live up to Ms. Adams as well as her mom and dad. Being a peregrine, she will certainly be strong and independent.

Thanks for checking in and letting us know about your visit downtown, sb. Sorry you didn't see anyone. I keep meaning to check the cam late at night and then forget.

On the night I finally remembered to check this cam late, I get an error!

Confirmed falcon sighting: Last night I finally made it downtown at a decent hour and fellow falcon watchers told me that they had seen both Mom and Daughter yesterday night, perching on two different County-City building antennas. As we talked, Abigail fluttered into view, and went up to perch in one of her favorite spots, the TV tower a short distance away. After about half an hour, she flew to the CC building, preparing to bed down for the night. This morning, no falcons, they were already gone by 7:45, maybe they went to the Indiana Dunes for a 4th of July picnic at the beach !


Just kidding, but here's a fun peregrine fact: In 1993, several peregrines were released from the Tower building in downtown South Bend. That season, some of those South Bend peregrines were routinely spotted in Michigan City in the daytime and back in South Bend at night. Michigan City is only 11 miles from the Indiana Dunes State Park, so it's not too much of a stretch to think of them there. Remember that these birds can easily fly over 60 miles an hour even when they're not diving. And no 4th of July traffic jams for them !

On the other hand, (or talon in this case,) local naturalists are guessing that a lot of the flying and hunting training goes on in the open fields west of South Bend. Right now, Abigail gets around ok, and can fly pretty decently for an average bird, but as we all know, she is a peregrine, the race car driver of birds, and she needs additional time "behind the wheel" to have an excellent degree of control of her full powers. For now she is still a student, and hopefully an eager one.
The open fields offer way more space to practice speed flying and maneuvers, Being an experienced mother , I'm sure G is making some good teaching choices.

Since the County-City Building is just a few blocks from the baseball stadium and fireworks, I thought I might write a humorous fiction piece about the falcons experience of 4th of July. The baseball stadium has fireworks most summer Fridays, so I'm sure that G and A take it all in stride.

Happy 4TH to all,

SB Watcher signing off ( going to ice down my cat)

Thanks for that interesting report, sb. Glad to hear all is well in South Bend! If your humorous fiction piece gets published, be sure to post the link.

Thanks for the report sbwatcher! Sounds like Abigail is doing well, but as you said, she is still a rookie and needs more practice.