I was at Blackie Spit today and there was lots of Raptor action. Cooper's Hawks, Northern Harriers, Bald Eagles and a Merlin that turned out to be a Peregrine. What I mean is that I thought I was watching a Merlin in flight but it turns out that it is definitely a Peregrine at its best.

I was walking north along the slough towards the no dogs aloud area. I noticed the crows going nuts and over at the dyke they were harassing an airborne Harrier. I also noticed a Merlin flying towards the Harrier. He actually took a dive at the harrier. Never seen that before. Aweful big Merlin. The Merlin then turned towards me and started to climb, he was right in the sun but I took a couple of shots anyways. Hey, that might be a Peregrine. All of a sudden he went into a dive right toward where I was. I knew early that the D80 wouldn't keep up, so I came of the viewfinder to get a good look. He dove right into the slough turning up just as he struck the head of a duck. He immediately turned up again and climbed. I've never seen anything even close to that speed. EVER!

The poor duck rolled on its back almost motionless in the water. Air bubbles coming from it's nostrils. I knew there was an eagle around so I looked to see if he might have seen the event. Nope, no eagle. I looked back at the duck and he was swimming around. He had regained consciousness and was ok. What I didn't know, until I got home, is that the Peregrine had taken part of his scalp and skull. It's doubtful he'll survive in the long run.

I didn't get the dive with my gear but I did get a few pics.

Peregrine before dive. Completely into the sun. I was a lucky birder today, but an unlucky photographer.




Duck after strike and less than a minute later when regaining consciousness.

great photos and story Wes, thanks for sharing

Thanks, Paul. I wish I had some action shots to share, but it wasn't in the cards.

Very interesting to witness, though.

A "Wild Kingdom" moment. Strange that the Peregrine abandoned the duck after it’s dive.

There were many crows in the area harassing the Harriers and the Peregrine. They came into the area pretty quick. Also, a bald eagle was in the area. I didn't see him right after the strike, but he was around. It's the only reasons I can think of.

Believe me, I was sitting on that spot waiting for him to come back. Unfortunately nothing returned. Not a Peregrine, Cooper's, which were in the area, or a bald eagle. Originally, when he came in I had no idea what he was doing. Honestly, I've had no real experience with Peregrines. I was dumbfounded when he went right at the duck in the water. I didn't see the duck until just before he struck it. I thought that only Osprey went into deeper water.

After the first strike, I was on my tripod focused right on the duck. I had visions of a National Geographic moment.

As a photographer, I'm disappointed with my performance in the field. I was caught flat footed. As a student of nature, I just feel fortunate that I was there at that moment. However, next time I will not make the same mistake of underestimated the ferocity and velocity of this incredible predator.

Thanks for you comments.