Vantage Point

These paintings/ this painting,  inspired by my long standing admiration for the ultimate raptor and visits to Salisbury Cathedral. Despite my hundreds of birding trips and hiking over the years, I can count on one hand how many times I have seen this bird randomly in the wild. Imagine my excitement walking around the cathedral looking up at the majestic architecture dominating the skyline, the serenity was interrupted by the piercing calls of a female peregrine falcon. She launched from the elaborately carved stone work and flew to another bird in her territory. Quite a noisy drama ensued. It was the male, her mate. They flew close to one another swirling around before the male appeared to drop something. With incredible precision she caught it in her outstretched talons, it was prey, essential food the male had caught and brought to her. A spectacular airborne display of ultimate primitive instinct for survival. This was more than an offering, it was part of the routine supply which enables the pair to feed and rear their brood.