Anatomy of a Food Exchange

I stopped by the bridge this morning on my way to work. It was a decision I'm glad I made, because I had the opportunity to photograph a food exchange between Sabrina and Kaver at close range, as well as some other sights worhty of my time. Already on the Pont de Rennes when I arrived were Jo & Lavanna who were visiting from Ithica; official fledge watchers Roger & Marion, Mr. Bird Nerd Mike, and Brian H. They pointed out one of the juveniles on a low roof of the BeeBee station, fast at work on breakfast:


Nearby sat one of the American Kestels (Falco sparverius), an adult male, I think:


When the fledgling Peregrine moved to the edge of the roof I was able to get a look at her leg band to identify Aura:


After some minutes of inactivity the sounds of hungry fledglings filled the gorge. Looking up, we found Kaver flying in, prey clutched in his talons:


It wasn't long before a fledgling flew into view, and no one was surprised when we identified Sabrina. As she flew nearer, Kaver transferred the prey to his bill:
          

Sabrina dove behind and beneath her father, then rose toward their rendezvous:
     

At the last instant Sabrina climbed, talons outstretched, then flipped over as Kaver delivered the meal!
     

Kacking the whole time, Sabrina flew away with her prize:
     

She gave us a nice close look as she headed for the catwalk on the High Falls smokestack, where she made a masterful one-footed landing:
     

     

          

While Sabrina ate, we watched the Kestrels flitting around the power station:


Freshly fortified, Sabrina decided it would be fun to chase her sister:


I had to leave for work then, but what a seredipitous detour I'd made!

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After dinner I stopped by the Kodak Visitor parking lot where I found a number of watchers assembled. Rhea Mae did quite a bit of flying, looking splendid in the evening light
          

When she landed on the southwest corner of the 17^th floor ledge, Sabrina decided to join her:


There was more flying, but the fading light made it hard to capture. All of the fledglings have shown themselves to be confident flyers, and watching them is made all the more enjoyable knowing that they aren't likely to get into any further trouble.