Week 6 – Prairie Falcon

Sunday I took a drive out to my old stomping grounds in the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area (NCA). I had spent the past two winters here conducting point counts for raptors as part of my Master’s thesis project at Boise State University. I never thought I would miss winter point counts, and I haven’t really, but I have missed the birds. I was hoping to photograph some Rough-legged Hawks, but was unable to capture any really great photos. But not all was lost. February is prime courtship month for Golden Eagles and Prairie Falcons that breed in the Snake River Canyon. I knew I had a chance of seeing some Prairie Falcons at Dedication Point, and they did not disappoint. Two pairs of soon-to-be-breeding falcons were soaring up and down the canyon rim, their stunning courtship flights on full display. Male and female Prairie Falcons will stoop on each other to gauge their partners fitness and to strengthen pair-bonds. I had the opportunity to catch one falcon beginning a stoop on it’s mate….

A Prairie Falcon stoops during courtship. Photographs by Neil Paprocki.

 

Here are the four separate photos I put together of the Prairie Falcon beginning it’s stoop. Note: I altered the background color slightly on the composite image so they all matched.