Viewing entries tagged
peregrine falcons Smith Rock
Charlie Baughman has been photographing the Bald Eagle nest at Smith Rock State Park for the last 5 years and the Peregrine Falcon nest for 3 years. We reached out to him last month after we were captivated by his image of the Peregrine Falcon chicks featured in the banner image of this article. The images he sent back were equally mesmerizing. We wanted to know the story behind the pictures. Charlie filled us in.
When rumors circulated that the parents of the Bald and Golden Eagles had abandoned their nests with the big snow the park got in February, we reached out to Park Management. While former Smith Rock State Park Naturalist David Vick retired last year, that hasn’t stopped him from caring how nesting season is going.
Heads up climbers—Peregrine falcons are nesting now, joining other raptors already doing the same. Golden and bald eagles and prairie falcons are already noted on the Seasonal Closures page of our website, with information on climbing route closures.
And with that announcement comes the joint announcement of nesting area closures in the Picnic Lunch Wall and First Kiss areas that are in effect until June 30, 2016. Smith Rock State Park is very lucky to have these birds choose the park as their safe breeding turf. It's rare that they travel away from wetlands, so be sure to bring your binoculars.
