A Shy Prairie Falcon Playing Hide And Seek

Eight days ago, along a lonely road in northern Utah, I spotted a Prairie Falcon on a utility pole in front of me. Readers know that I rarely stop for raptors on utility poles but I’ll always make an exception for a Prairie Falcon. When I stopped for this one, ‘he’ flew to the next pole down the line and he did that repeatedly, five times to five different poles. We had a game of cat and mouse going and I was losing.

But the last time, the fifth time, was different. He was facing me on the horizontal beam of the pole and this time, as I approached him, I watched as he sidestepped closer and closer to the vertical pole to his left and nearly disappeared behind it.

Watching a Prairie Falcon sidestep is one of the cuter things I’ve seen.

 

Instead of flying off, this time he was trying to hide from me. At first all I could see was part of his head but eventually he made one or two sidesteps to his right, which allowed me to see about 2/3rds of his body.

Apparently he thought I couldn’t see him so he never did fly off, even when I passed by very close to him and continued on my way.

 

 

A vertical composition of the same photo, if you prefer. As I do.

I rarely like photos of birds that include utility pole perches. But I like this one because of the cute behavior. I think it’s charming.

Ron

 

32 Comments

  1. Missed this post somehow (but the falcon didn’t — badum tiss). What a cute peek-a-boo pose!

  2. I am certainly charmed. To the utmost.
    Thank you.

  3. Agree with so many others – “charming” is a great description.
    Can almost see the little wheels turning in “his” head – “now I’ve got that silly photographer right where I can keep an eye on him!”
    Fun picture, and as always, enjoy the story involved in making the photo. Thanks!

  4. This is so heart warming, it has made my day.
    Thank You,
    Kaye

  5. What a sweetie! I adore the Prairie Falcon’s countenance, they rarely look “mean” or fierce … charming is a good description for this beauty, for sure. I’m glad you played hide-n-seek with him! 😊

  6. Cute photo. there was one eating on the ground by one of the gut piles on Antelope Island, but as I got closer the bird flew out to one of the rocks were photos are not the best, I took a few just to ID the bird. I did not know they would eat gut piles. Maybe the bird had something else by the gut pile.

  7. Everett F Sanborn

    Excellent photos Ron. Of course we all normally skip birds on a pole, but in cases like this you have to go for it. Really cute shots. I did the same when I saw a Swainsons on a pole and had never before seen one.

  8. Love these birds, and this one is charming, indeed.

  9. Isn’t it interesting how birds will move to keep a constant distance between us and them? I’m glad this one finally paused for you; the photos are splendid. Anyone who claims birds and animals don’t pay attention to us hasn’t spent much time around them.

  10. He’s as curious about you as you are of him – what a neat connection!
    And so many spots on that white chest. Lovely creature.

  11. Wow– Prairie Falcon “peekaboo”– nothing could be more charming !

  12. “I’ll always make an exception for a Prairie Falcon.” Absolutely! They are in every way a stunningly beautiful bird. Really appreciate you sharing.

    That look. It has a ‘Are you still there!’ feel to it.

  13. A Prairie Falcon channeling his inner Kestrel! Fantastic photos of a stunning bird. Thanks, Ron!

  14. Cindy S Intravartolo

    Very charming!

  15. Very cute. Video at 11:00! 😊

  16. That was fun and well worth following him! 🙂 Always amusing when something “thinks” they are hiding – makes up for when they really are! 😉 Man made objects DO have their uses at times….
    An adrenaline rush the other evening. Stepped outside only to be “barked” at by a VERY close GHOW! 😉 Took a bit to figure out what it was and the 1st time I’ve had one do that!

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