NEBRASKAland Magazine is dedicated to outstanding photography and informative writing with an engaging mix of articles and photos highlighting Nebraska’s outdoor activities, parklands, wildlife, history and people.
Issue link: http://mag.outdoornebraska.gov/i/736554
NOVEMBER 2016 • NEBRASKAland 53 and delete the rest." She also records all footage from the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission's streaming video of the falcon nest, checking it later for interesting moments she can turn into screenshots or video. ("I fast-forward a lot," she says.) Nearly all of Jeanne's Facebook posts have more than a dozen "likes." Commenters regularly ask peregrine- related questions and share their knowledge with others. Many take time to thank Jeanne personally for her work. "Without you none of us would be able to observe 'our' falcons once they leave the box," wrote Mary Frost of Lincoln. "You have made me addicted to the falcons." Jeanne says she's always been interested in wildlife and birds of prey. She first noticed the peregrines in 2006 while parking for work across from the Capitol. "That's when I decided to carry my camera and see if I could get some pictures of them flying around," she says. Hoping to share her photos with others, Jeanne started her Facebook page in 2012. She's amazed at how the group has grown, and says that having an interested and engaged group to share photos and video with has spurred her to spend more time at the Capitol. She's enjoying a bit of a break at the moment, though. "I spend the most time with the falcons from early spring, when they start mating, to late summer, while the juveniles are here," she says. Jeanne and her Facebook group noted when the chick – named Dinan, for former Game and Parks Nongame Bird Program Manager John J. Dinan – first left his nest, as well as when he was last spotted, on Aug. 21. "I believe Dinan is now on his life journey," Jeanne says. Do the peregrines have personalities? Jeanne is matter-of- fact: "I like to think they have personalities and emotions – when you see them with their chicks, it does look like love. But I know that most of what they do is solely by instinct, to breed and to eat. They do seem to have habits and preferences, though." Recently, Jeanne had the great luck to capture photos of an in-flight food drop: Alley was flying over the Capitol fountain when she suddenly folded her wings and dove toward a smaller bird. (This particular predatory move, known as a "stoop," has marked peregrines as the fastest member of the animal kingdom – they've been clocked at 242 miles per hour.) Snatching her prey in her talons, Alley quickly tossed the bird to Dinan, who was following just below her. Dinan easily grabbed his lunch and flew back to the Capitol to eat it. Thanks to Jeanne and her camera, falcon enthusiasts across the world got to see how a peregrine teaches her young to hunt. What does the future hold for the Capitol peregrines? Jeanne predicts that Alley may be advertising for a new mate soon; at 15 years of age, 19/K is pretty old for a peregrine. Alley will have many potential mates to choose from – she and 19/K have defended their nest from many intruders over the years. Whatever happens, Jeanne is excited to watch it unfold. "I never get tired of watching the peregrines," she says. "They continually surprise me." To see Jeanne's photos and video, visit her Facebook page, Peregrine Falcons Lincoln Ne. Streaming video of the falcon nest is available at Outdoornebraska.org/falconcam. ■ Jeanne Hibbert has been keeping an eye on Lincoln's resident peregrines since 2005, a passion that keeps her busy most of the year. PHOTO BY JEANNE HIBBERT PHOTO BY RENAE BLUM