Peregrine family

Mum and Dad happily sitting together on their favourite branch high on the edge of the quarry.

Dad off on a hunting trip.

All at peace and enjoying the sunshine.

Dad deep in thought. 

Dad checking their nest site which isn't that high up the quarry walls.

He often perches much lower nearer to my camera.
 

My peregrine patch

The peregrines have lived in my area for many years. I knew of the Chichester birds but I discovered from where they originated and found the site occupied by a group. It is in a disused quarry not far from my home.

Most of these photo's were taken from inside the car which at my age is a huge advantage to someone of my age.

Mum and Dad enjoying the trees which surround the quarry.

The parents getting the nest site ready for this years family

These were taken with a 500mm lens so you can see what can be achieved with right equipment.

 

Peregrine Falcon

When I moved to my village over 10 years ago I discovered to my amazement that a family of peregrine falcons lived nearby.  It did not take me long to locate the nesting site.

The site is perfect for photography. The nest is high on a cliff face of a quarry with excellent access.

Here is a couple of youngsters playing. 

I never did find out what Dad brought back to the nest.

Because of the good cover I can get quite close when they land. I often have one fly over the house.
 

Red Kites

 

Just a small selection of red kites from the hundreds I have taken over the last 25 years.  All were taken in the Elan valley. 

Manty of the birds carry wing tags showing markings that identify the individual.

Red Kites are not raptors but they are meat eaters. Only clearing up the remains of dead creatures. 

They are natural to this country but they treated by people as killers and were hunted almost to extinction. In the 1980s many were imported from Spain were now they protected. They keep the countryside clean from dead creatures and clean up after the birth of animals.

They are beautiful birds in every respect and are welcomed by country folk.

Past times

 The weather has been very bad for some time and it has affected the visits from my wild life friends.

They are still coming but for some reason not until the early hours of the morning. So here are some 

older pictures of them.

This badger I discovered in the woods at the back of my house. His family are occasional visitors.

In my younger days when I went walking with my camera I had the feeling I was being watched, turning I snapped this roe deer before it ran off.

Sometimes animals when they get to know you are more obliging. This is a captive fox but was allowed to run freely so was very used to people. My foxes are getting close to this, I have been within touching distance of one of mine.

Sometimes an osprey will appear suddenly and fly right over your head. So I always carry a camera.