Peregrine Falcon

 

Got a great flyover of a beautiful Peregrine Falcon earlier this month in Florida. The Peregrine is the fastest bird on the planet, when it is in hunting mode. Here, it is just floating on by and I was able to get a great shot. 

January 1st Lifer!!!

Got notice of an Evening Grosbeak hanging out at a feeder in a public park just south of Milwaukee, just under 2 hours from home. Starting my normal work travel schedule on Monday, so January 1st is my one and only day to go after this bird, a lifer. Evening Grosbeaks very occasionally comes this far south, but this is the closest reliable visitor that I have heard of this year. So, it was go now or hope for another closer visitor on an off day later this winter. I rolled the dice and took a chance to get it. Lucky for me, the drive was worth it and after waiting patiently for over an hour, it showed up. Lucky, all around. Great start to the birding year. That makes 447 lifers!!!