I still remember quite vividly watching a film (an Arthurian legend or Robin Hood type film) when I was 8 years old. That was about 52 years ago. In it, the king rode through a forest glade on a white horse with a peregrine falcon on his gloved hand. The bird just looked so appropriate and majestic. I did not know what the bird was and I said 'whoa! look at that bird!'. My friend's father (who was a pigeon fancier/racer) said it was a Peregrine Falcon. It was a very rare bird in the UK then, and I never expected I would ever see one. About 14 years ago I saw my first over a salt marsh but it was just a speck in the sky. Then a couple of years later I saw two flying together from my 5th floor office window in Manchester. They were at eye level and provided close views, I was hooked. A year or two later (2005) I watched them mating and they nested on City Tower but they abandoned their nest when the eggs got flooded. I then made it my mission to find a home for the birds and keep them in Manchester. Eventually I found a place and approached the building owners who were agreeable to having a nest tray on the roof. I found a steeplejack who was prepared to offer his services free in order to mount the tray. The birds took to it immediately and we have had 34 fledged chicks since, and many more elsewhere in the county at other sites including a site where one of the chicks has been parenting since 2008. These birds have enjoyed national fame and have been filmed by the BBC and I have had the pleasure of using their huge cameras. My childhood dream has been more that realised.
When I made this image my Canon 40D had failed and so it was back to the 20D for this one. The birds often perch on the walls of the cathedral but the location is often in shadow and when the sun is going it becomes very dark. I added a non reporting Kenko 2X tele-converter to my Sigma 300f2.8 and mounted the lens on a wall using my camera bag for support. The image is cropped slightly. This internet image does not do the print version justice despite the relatively high ISO. I am perfectly happy with the angle of view. The bird's poop is better left out, I know:)
Canon 20D, Sigma 300f2.8 , non reporting Kenko 2X tele-converter. Wall and camera bag for support.
ISO1600, 1/250 sec....f stop not known.
Last edited by adrian dancy; 08-09-2015 at 12:42 AM.
Reason: spelling
Picture looks good Adrian poop and all, but more importantly must congratulate you on all the work you have done to improve the lot of these magnificent Falcons "34 chicks " that's excellent, don't know about the chicks getting national fame think you are due for some yourself.
Think if every one did a small bit to help nature instead of just taking, things would be a whole lot better for all, bet it gives you a lot of satisfaction.
Its different,and makes the bird look majestic,but well done on helping my favourite bird of prey,I have seen these birds regular in M anchester,when I visit my Daughter,who lives and works in the centre of Manchester.TFS.
I love a nice story with an image and you certainly have that here. Thank you.
I like the dark, somber, mood of the shot and my only preference would be for some eye contact with the bird.
However, it's probably not all that necessary since it is a good habitat image as is.
TFS
Peregrine on Ancient Walls.
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