Peregrine Sunrise

Following a tumultuous night of thunderstorms, I painted on the Grand Canyon rim at sunrise and noticed the rapid wing beats of a peregrine falcon rising up from the darkness. It flew closer and ascended into morning sunbeams before climbing so high it vanished overhead. I continued painting in solitude until a startling sound shattered the silence as the falcon opened its wings from a rocketing stoop where peregrines can exceed 240 mph; the fastest creatures on earth. Despite unrivaled combined speed, agility, bravery and intelligence, this top predator vanished from most of its range and catastrophically fell close to extinction in the 1960s, largely due to organochloride pesticides in the environment. Today, peregrines thrive only because of massive combined historic efforts of biological studies, education, Endangered Species Act, public support, EPA corporate restrictions, and conservation agencies like the NPS. Grand Canyon safeguards a vast expanse of intact ecosystems and ideal peregrine habitat of sheer cliffs. The canyon provides a home to the world’s largest grouping of about 100 nesting pairs. I first experienced peregrines with my family in 2003 on our first visit to the canyon. I have seen them on every trip since. So for me, these amazing birds best exemplify the Grand Canyon and I feel fortunate to share the experience of a falcon soaring upward into the warming light of a hopeful new beginning.