Sacré-Coeur, Saguenay, Québec. (I prefer not to disclose exact location)

During my summer holidays at my favorite place in my home province of Québec, I witnessed a small and exciting chapter in the game of life.

On a hot summer day afternoon, I was enjoying the view in this small bay by the Saguenay river. It was low tide and I could observe gulls doing their thing and feeding on the river bed. At some point I spot unusual movement and sounds in the large group of gulls, as if a few were fighting over food. At first glance it seemed like a very ordinary event but through my binoculars I saw something very different. A peregrine had just chased and caught a gull and was joined by a 2nd one to start feeding. As I approach the scene through the water spots and algae, I can see it is in fact an adult feeding its young on this fresh prey. The adult was frantically removing feathers off the gull to feed the young waiting on the side.

This young peregrine was a bit more intimidated by my presence than the mother, so he flew away as I got a bit closer. The peregrine mother would probably have flown away as well if it was not for the big and heavy prey she had, and she was not willing to leave it. So I kept a safe distance to let the mother feed on the prey while the young was flying around to assess if it was safe to return to his mom to feed. The young made a few fly-bys while I was busy shooting the scene. I was able to take a few shots of the young during a few fly-bys but he would not come back to feed while I was there, too close for him. So I had no choice to leave after a few minutes of shooting. I wish I would have caught the scene when the mother caught the gull, which is as big or even bigger than her. A fantastic moment to witness.

I think I was able to spot where their nest might be. You can bet I will be back there next year with my binoculars and photo gear ready.

Tags:   D7200 Falco peregrinus Faucon pèlerin Michel Rochon Nikon Nikon D7200 Outdoors Peregrine falcon Sacré-Coeur Saguenay Tamron Tamron SP 150-600mm ailes america amerique bird bird of prey canada chasse chasseur claws falcon faucon feathers femelle flight hunting marée nature oiseau oiseau de proie prey proie quebec raptor tide vol water wildlife wings

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A beautiful Merlin hunting dragonflies in Marais des Graves near Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area (Réserve nationale de faune du cap Tourmente). All merlins I've seen in that sector were all hunting dragonflies. Not sure if it's by choice or because it appears to be the most abundant source of food in those marshes.

Tags:   Cap Tourmente D7200 Falco columbarius Faucon émerillon Marais des Graves Merlin Nikon Nikon D7200 Outdoors Tamron Tamron SP 150-600mm america amerique arbres bird bird of prey branches canada chasse ciel clouds dragonfly faucon feathers hawk hunting libellule marais marsh nature oiseau oiseau de proie quebec sky trees wildlife wings

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Red fox in the city's Botanical Garden. A beautiful animal but also a fierce hunter. I caught this one in early morning light enjoying a prey he probably hunted in one of the nearby ponds as it's wet body suggests.

Not quite sure what animal it was exactly. If you know what animal it was, please reply in the comments.

Tags:   D7200 Montreal Nikon Nikon D7200 Outdoors Tamron Tamron SP 150-600mm animals botanical garden botanique canada chasse chasseur eating fox hunter hunting jardin jardin botanique morning light nature prey proie quebec red fox renard renard roux wildlife

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Cap Tourmente National Wildlife Area (Réserve nationale de faune du cap Tourmente).

This little guy was checking on me while I was quietly observing life in the marsh from the observation post.

Tags:   Cap Tourmente D7200 Eastern Phoebe Moucherolle phébi Nikon Nikon D7200 Outdoors Sayornis phoebe Tamron Tamron SP 150-600mm america amerique bird canada chasse feathers hunting marais marsh oiseau quebec wildlife wings

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Red fox in the city's Botanical Garden. A beautiful animal but also a fierce hunter. I caught this one in early morning light enjoying a prey he probably hunted in one of the nearby ponds as it's wet body suggests.

Tags:   D7200 Montreal Nikon Nikon D7200 Outdoors Tamron Tamron SP 150-600mm animals botanical garden botanique canada chasse chasseur eating fox hunter hunting jardin jardin botanique morning light nature prey proie quebec red fox renard renard roux wildlife

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