I Would Be A Falcon And Go Free...

I find it a little ironic, that a creature so closely resembling a feline that they're sometimes called "Sky-Cats" wouldn't think twice about plummeting gracefully to the earth to take off with poor Mittin's, or Professor Whisker Q. Sardonicus in her talons for a tasty snack. Neighbourhood residents are often gently snowed upon by pigeon feathers, after hearing a barely perceptable "oof!" More and more bird wings (the least favorable part of a meal) are gingerly stepped over, as are an inordinate number of squirrel tails we havent been seeing before.
Yes, we have Falcons. Here, in an urban neighbourhood, just a twenty minute walk from downtown.
Peregrines. They've recently been soaring majestically over their territory-in this case,Toronto's Parkdale-on a daily basis, keeping the district's vermin in check. Their hunting technique is fascinating: flying high over their prey, they tuck their wings close into their body for better aerodynamics, and plummet downwards to collect their meal-killing upon impact. Understandably, for they can reach speeds up to 389 km/h!

By the mid-sixties the Peregrine population had been all but decimated by DDT, for a number of reasons, including the weakening of egg-shells. In the mid-eighties, Peregrine Societies began hatching campaigns, and within twenty-five years the population had proverbially clawed it's way off the endangered list.
Cities are the perfect environment for predators that thrive on bothersome rodents and birds, and the high-rises and office towers approximate natural cliff structures where they can comfortably nest.Ornithologists register each peregrine family-you'll never find one that isn't isn't tagged, and scrupulously monitored. They are becoming as ubiquitous to the cities menagerie as the racoons, possums, "Winged Rats" and "Chicken of the Trees"(squirrels) they dine upon.
Historically, Raptors have symbolised nobility, wisdom, and of course, stealth. The Egyptians worshiped Horus, the raptor-headed son of Osirus, who avenged his father's murder, thus becoming synonymous with honour, revenge, familial dedication, and of course, royalty. Horus-also known in the feminine form as Heru-keeps our environment just a little less flea-bitten and rabid, She brings some magic, elegance and nobility to our city. If you see me walking with my head held up and a big smile, patiently move aside, look up, and know why.
"I'm lookin' at the Big Sky, now"...