MN North: Palisade Head | 365 Days of Birds

My continuing series of “Duck for Breakfast“!

Starting at 5:30 am this morning I took a 50 mile bike ride along the North Shore of Lake Superior and inland (hwy #1 up to Finland, and then a sweeping downhill via Lax Lake Rd to Beaver Bay). Near Palisade Head around 6:45 am I heard some incredible screeching. Recognizing the sound as a bird of prey which had just made a kill, I got off my bike to investigate. After walking about 15 yards down a path I suddenly found the peregrine falcon family. The two kids were feasting merrily away on a mallard. The parent was up in a tree surveying me and the scene. I was careful to monitor the parent for signals I was too close. I did not want to get dive bombed at 200 mph by an angry peregrine falcon!

I like to start my rides early because one always sees much more wildlife. Scenic 61 was deserted on an early Sunday morning … my own private bike lane!

View this project’s Flickr photo stream. (click upon images to view at full size)

The peregrine falcon kids feasting

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The parent peregrine falcon surveys the scene

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The hungriest peregrine falcon chick continues to eat

I love to bicycle, and I also love to photograph birds. This past week I co-led a bike tour through the BWCA (boundary waters canoe area) of northern Minnesota, and the north shore of Lake Superior. My boyhood friend, Jim, runs a bike touring company … Bike Tour Vacations, and I often work as his second in command tour guide.

While the combination of cycling and birding is fun, leading a tour is a bit difficult when combined with birding and photography. I often cannot afford to stop and take the time to capture the desired photos. However, if one uses one “bird smarts”, the results are fun!