Subject: Duwamish aerobatics - 7/24/2003
Date: Jul 24 14:44:10 2003
From: Desilvis, Denis J - denis.j.desilvis at boeing.com


Tweets,
Just a brief note: While on my way from one building to another at 12:14pm, I saw an immature BALD EAGLE heading upriver toward me, with two GLAUCOUS-WINGED GULLS in pursuit. As the eagle neared the Hamm's Creek area, both adult OSPREYS, which were on the nearby nest, joined in the chase. Suddenly, a bolt in the form of a PEREGRINE FALCON dove twice on the eagle. The falcon returned to the power tower on the east side of the river, but when the eagle turned downriver in response to the close-encounters harassment from the Ospreys, it dove twice more on the eagle, which then turned and headed upriver once again. The entire episode lasted less than two minutes. As usual, the aerobatics from all feathered participants put those of mechanical airships to shame.

An added note: Over two hours later, I saw the falcon on the eastern power tower. One adult Osprey returned to the nest carrying a small fish, and adults and two young, which can be seen easily now above the side of the nest, joined in the meal.

May all your birds be identified,

Denis DeSilvis
Seattle, WA
denis.j.desilvis at boeing.com