Chasing Lightning

My friend, Khurram, and I had planned to spend the morning photographing the Snowy Owl that had been hanging out on the Jersey shore. However, we arrived to the beach with super high tides that were cutting across the dunes! After a failed attempt at getting out there, we decided to run a couple hours away to a spot where I know a pair of Peregrine Falcons (Falco peregrinus) hang out. We raced the light as we tried to get there before it got too harsh, evading GSP troopers along the way. When we arrived, we found the pair hanging out at the top of a tall tree. We watched them for about 20 minutes before they both took off in a manner I have seen before...they were on the hunt! We lost sight of them for about a minute, and then we saw a small black speck appear. I put my bins on it and could make out the furious wing beats of the falcon as he flew towards us. As he got closer, I could tell he was carrying what appeared to be a blackbird or grackle. He flew over to his favorite perch and began to eat. The rest...well...you'll just have to see :)

 

Northern NJ

Done