Peregrines over Frankfurt

I was in Frankfurt for two days and spent the one free afternoon watching the Main Tower peregrines from a rooftop cafe across the street. A local naturalist had given me the rough corner to watch. Frankfurt has one of the best-documented urban peregrine populations in Europe.

The pair was active. Female on the tower most of the afternoon; male arrived twice with prey, once with a feral pigeon I think and once with something smaller I couldn’t see clearly. I’m using the OM-1 with the 100-400mm because I was trying to keep the bag small, and with the crop factor that’s pushing 800mm equivalent. Just enough.

Side note: the Frankfurt skyline is a very photogenic place for urban bird work. The buildings are close enough together that peregrines get long flight corridors and banking shots, and the glass makes some really nice light. Also Hooded Crows on every ledge, which I love.

Non-falcon: a pair of Common Buzzards rode a thermal over the financial district late in the afternoon. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a Buzzard over downtown before and I had to double-check I wasn’t looking at a kite. Also a small flock of Jackdaws on the plaza below the tower.

Good cappuccino at the cafe. Helpful waiter who asked what I was photographing and offered a window seat with a clearer view.