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A Perfect Ending to a Perfect Morning
This story actually begins last night. I had not planned to go downtown, but Barbara B had driven from Lafayette, Roy the dog needed companionship and a walk, and.... So I found myself downtown with Barbara about 7 PM. She immediately pointed out 2 juvies on the Sheraton roof and KQ nearby keeping watch. After meeting up with Jeff and his wife Cindy, we moved to the top of the Penn Street parking garage with its good views of most of the Circle and other buildings the juvies seem to like.
While we saw some good flying and landing, we did not see all 4 juvies at the same time so we called it a night. Choosing to walk down the stairs [it's a weight watchers thing to get active] as soon as I hit the open part of the floor below I heard all kinds of kakking from an adult. The adult I had left on the corner of First Indiana was screaming its head off. And so it went, kak, kak kak, down all 9 flights of stairs.
At street level, I walked to the corner and the adult took off, still kakking, circling the area where we had just been. This was one angry defensive bird. Then all of the sudden, the adult flew back to the same corner of the building and was completely quiet. Knowing I had promised Richard I would pick him up at 6:30 the next morning, I left.
So now it is this morning. I picked up Richard and when we arrived downtown, seeing Laura and Susan N with her dog Luke, for whom Luka is named, we headed to the top of the Penn Street garage again. Jeff, with big camera and Susan H were already there and Bonnie and Scott, with big camera and HUGE lens, soon arrived. Well we were not disappointed at all. Throughout the morning we saw lots of great flying and landing right overhead and marveled at how spectacular the "show" was. At one quiet moment, I walked to the end of the garage where the adult had exhibited such defensive angry behavior the night before and lo and behold what do I see but a beautiful red tailed hawk. Just as I called Laura on my cell to tell her what I was seeing, the RTH took off and flew north on Pennsylvania street. Talk about disrupting the quiet. Both adults went into full attack mode and chased that RTH right out of town. It was so chaotic, with falcons appearing from everywhere! Maybe kids too - I don't know - it was one wild minute or so.
Parents and kids returned to roosting, but it was hardly anything but calm for some time. I think Kathy decided to kak at us just for good measure. Saw additional flights, tail-tag and bump the parent off their perch. Glorious! At 10:30 figuring we had seen the best of the best in falcon watching, we said our good byes and headed for home.
When I dropped Richard off at his apartment, he wanted to show me the new construction to the property. As we drove around, a huge bird was soaring overhead. My first thought was turkey vulture, but then I saw it - white head and white tail. A bald eagle.
As I said, perfect ending to a perfect morning!
I will await the photos from Jeff and Scott. I am sure they are fabulous!
_________________ "Always try to be a little kinder than is necessary." ~ J. M. Barrie
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