Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Looking for Wild Site Peregrines

April 2011..........

   "There..........There!..... There he is!"  are the words that tell me to look; a male peregrine has slipped off the cliff and is in swift flight ...............elegant in form, silver back reflecting the sun, outline unmistakeably falcon.  These few seconds offer no chance for photographs, yet the image is permanently stamped in memory.
   Such brief encounters are treasured segments of a larger picture that encompasses clear water, blue skies, steep cliffs and perseverence.
    For over 25 years we have been an integral part of reintroducing, studying, monitoring, and protecting peregrine falcons at Michigan's Wild Sites.  Funding for this program originally came from Michigan's Nongame Wildlife Fund, as well as from The Nature Conservancy, Ottawa National Forest, Hiawatha National Forest, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, University of Minnesota, and Wildlife Recvoery Association.
   We worked under Dr. Redig and the late Dr.Tordoff through the University of Minnesota, collecting data which included blood sampling of the nestlings, banding, and direct observations.  We often spent over 100 days camped along beautiful wild cliffs during these studies.  Though funding for the project was discontinued in recent years, we have continued to check for peregrine nests each year, and now are able to introduce our interns to the challenge, the excitement, and the beauty of our wild site peregrines.    
   The peregrines themselves are only part of the story;  the land, the lake, the wilderness, the many other thrilling rare wild animals, and the wonderful people we meet and work with along the way make up many chapters.
   Please enjoy the journey to meet these rare and magnificent birds.

                                                             -Joe and Barb Rogers 

Lake of the Clouds in Spring.
                                             Joe and Jimmy, Top of the Cliff.

                                            We've logged in thousands of hours of observation.
                                          ........and hiked many miles in bear country. (Barb and Jimmy on the trail)                                                                    


Both interns were able to photograph a beautiful silver wolf.  This one is by Kathleen Bennett.



This wolf photo is by Kristy Morris.

Kristy Morris and Joanne Williams take a break on the rocks.



Kristy practices a little rock climbing...........


                                              
 While Kathleen finds  some interesting rocks.


Photo ideas are shared with new friends along the way.



Kathleen catches a photo of a rare Scarlet Tanager.


..........And after miles of hiking,



We view the female peregrine bringing in prey for the nestlings.  Photo by Kristy Morris taken from over one half mile away.  The adult is in the center of the photo.