![\"prairrie](\"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2016\/07\/prairrie-falcon-7292-ron-dudley.jpg\")
<\/p>\nParts of the Centennial Valley were loaded with Prairie Falcons yesterday morning. At one point an apparent family of five of them played hopscotch with my pickup for about 7 miles along a very remote dirt road. It was frustrating because typical of the species they never allowed me a close approach but it sure was fun to watch them as they cavorted with each other in the air and occasionally swooped in on my truck.<\/p>\n
I believe we saw at least 10 different falcons (both adults and juveniles) within about two hours.<\/p>\n
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1\/3200, f\/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f\/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n But this was the only bird that let me get very close and naturally it was on a power pole. Regular readers know how much I dislike these poles in my photos but this was such a good look at an elusive species that I decided to post it anyway – clipped wing, wire and all.<\/p>\n Another special sighting yesterday was a Northern Pygmy Owl with rodent prey. I was able to get many photos of it but the setting was busy and the lighting difficult so I may (or may not)\u00a0wait until I get home to post any of them so I don’t have to process them on this unreliable laptop.<\/p>\n Ron<\/p>\n PS – Several thoughtful readers messaged me yesterday about possible solutions to my focusing problems with my 7D Mark II. I should find out this morning if those problems are solved. If they’re not this may be another morning of wasting opportunities with birds on a malfunctioning camera.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Parts of the Centennial Valley were loaded with Prairie Falcons yesterday morning.<\/p>\n