Faster Than a Cheetah

The once endangered peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is an amazing bird. It can reach speeds of up to 175 mph while diving making it the fastest bird on record. They mostly eat other birds and have been able to adapt to city life, unlike many other birds of prey. The peregrine falcon is a common bird of prey in Big Sur, but I never get a chance to get close to them while I have a camera in my hand. Yesterday morning I got that chance. As I was driving along Hwy 1 I saw a peregrine sitting on a telephone wire and immediately stopped my car. I half expected the bird to fly away because I had to walk past the bird to get the 'good light' but it decided to hang out for a while so that I could get some photos.

Big Sur is a great place for birds

Here are a few more bird photos from here in Big Sur.
This first photo is a male Anna's hummingbird at Big Creek.

 The second photo is a California quail also at Big Creek.

 Third is a small red-tailed hawk along Highway 1 in Big Sur.

ok... I know I am really behind....

I have a few folders of photos still waiting to be edited but I figured I would share a few today. I guess the holidays and the rainy days got me a little behind in the photo department. For today, here are two photos from the Big Creek property (where I live). The first is a Northern flicker and the second is a male Anna's hummingbird.