Photo by Bob Isenberg

With the holidays coming, we have had many people visiting the rock in Morro Bay. The falcons are not disappointing many of them. They are going through pre-courtship, sitting closer and closer together and vocalizing as the days get shorter. The tiercel is flying by her, just missing her by inches as she perches on a spire. However, not the high speed cliff-racing or the acrobatics. That is still about a month away when breeding begins.

I started to talk about the visitors and got caught up babbling about the birds.

First visitor: “ Hi, are you looking at the falcons?”

Bob: “Yes, I am. Would you care to look at them? The spotting scope is on the female.”

Visitor: “ No, there are lots of them around. I just saw one land on the Dockside Restaurant.”

Bob: “Great. You come back about midnight and he’ll still be there.”

Visitor walks away with his head down, sulking.

Second visitor two hours later: “I bet you’re looking for the falcons.”

Bob: “ Yes, I am.”

Second visitor: “Well, he’s not here. He’s on the roof of the fish place.”

Bob: “Did you hear him chupping?”

Second visitor: “Oh yeah, it was him.”

Bob: “Would you like to see a real live one?”

Second visitor: “You mean………….?”

Bob: “Yes!”

Happy trails, Bob