[SBB] 01/05/06 Eurasian Widgeon and more

Yesterday (01/05/06), while birding the Shoreline area, I found a beautiful Eurasian Widgeon paddling swiftly away from me from left to right. The lack of wind and the cool air prevented any distortion from wind or sun and provided the best scope view I've had. His beautiful rufous head was set off by his wide, bright lemon-yellow crown stripe. The bird was with hundreds of American Coot, Ruddy Ducks, American Widgeons and Greater Scaup. A few dozen Canvasbacks, Lesser Scaups, Eared Grebes and Canada Geese, along with a Western Grebe and some herons rounded out the pond across from the Shoreline Golflinks Gold Course at about 1:45pm.

I also saw a great looking pair of Peregrine Falcons, I assume a male and female, judging by the size difference and the (probable)mating display. The male would take off from the power tower next to Charleston Slough (Shoreline side) and swipe close to the female on the adjoining power tower. She would fly low (below levee height) and the male circled and flew after her faster than any Peregrine I've ever seen fly (with no wind) and about 30 feet higher than her. When he reached her he would swoop down and do ? (couldn't see, the levee was in my way) for about 3 seconds, then they would both appear heading straight for the sky while performing part of a spiral. At about 200 feet, the female would break off and shoot for the earth, leveling off below the levee again. The male would return in a more leisurely fashion and then take off in pursuit for the next round. These two birds performed this ritual (?) 3 times while I watched and then flew back up to their adjoining Power Towers again. What a show!