Peregrine Falcons - Pretzel Park, Philadelphia

I returned on a bright clear afternoon to Pretzel Park in the Manayunk section of Philadelphia where a pair of Peregrine Falcons are preparing to nest for a second year in the tower of St. John the Baptist RCC. A few images ...

Arriving at the Park, both birds were flying overhead and making plenty of noise. On the top of the transmission tower, they were even noisier as they copulated ...

Peregrine Falcons about to mate - Note: both birds are banded

He then went off, presumably to hunt, while she waited in the steeple tower ...

Peregrine female - tower of St. John the Baptist

Then off she flew for another transmission tower rendezvous ...

It was interesting to observe the almost inverted position of the female as they mated ...

During their copulation, the size difference between the male and female (she is about 1/3 larger) was evident. It was also evident as he flew off (presumably with a smile) ...

Male Peregrine Falcon flies off after mating

Littered on the streets near the park, are the remains of their successful foraging among the urban bird population ...

European Starling

Rock Pigeon

 Good Birding!!