The Peregrine Falcon is my favorite raptor, and just to watch them maneuver in the air when in pursuit of prey is amazing and mesmerizing. They are a natural predator of small birds and help to maintain the population balance in the wild. We almost lost them before the use of DDT was banned in many countries, and through the tireless efforts of many conservation groups, their numbers rebounded. Today they are thriving in diverse areas, from prairies to mountains and even in urban settings. Typically a dark colored bird, I was struck by this picture because of the sun rendering the falcon’s wings and tail nearly transparent as it carried its prey, a blue jay, off for its morning repast.