From a thousand feet above Capitol's golden dome, the long-winged raptor folded its aerial form and became a projectile of feathered mass. Its great foot was clenched as the bird bulleted downward and knuckled its quarry at 260 mph. The pigeon poofed into a shower feathers. The Peregrine Falcon's prey was retrieved in mid air and cached on a Capitol ledge for the bird's mate.
The dynamic world of Peregrine Falcons has escalated to new heights over Iowa. In commemoration of these birds, a peregrine display will be unveiled at 11:30 a.m., Feb. 24, second floor of Capitol, North wing.
Since 1993 downtown Des Moines has benefited from a peregrine pair that has nested atop American Republic Insurance building at 601 6th Ave. The male, 93T, was released in 1990 in Cedar Rapids by a cadre of volunteers, falconers, and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) as a means to reintroduce these birds to the Hawkeye state. The female, R13, was released in Kansas City in 1991 by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources.
This pair produced 24 young over the years. In 2003 female R13 was challenged by a younger, more powerful peregrine from Minnesota, Colannade building, 8/*T. As a result of this battle, female R13 was killed and the world of peregrines over Des Moines skies was changed forever - but not forgotten.
Female R13 has been mounted by Mike Steegman with the Marshall County Conservation Board, and in a sense, given a new life. She will continue her environmental outreach as ambassador and a founding member of peregrine recovery in Iowa. Steegman's beautiful creation will be unveiled at the Capitol on Thursday. On Friday, the display will relocate to west wing of second floor until March 7. The display will return on April 19.
"The Capitol is a wonderful site for exhibiting this display as Des Moines has recently hosted a new peregrine territory," said Pat Schlarbaum, with the DNR's wildlife diversity program. Since autumn 2003 female 39/E from NSP Riverside, Minnesota has become established at our Capitol and hopefully will become a second nesting pair. So far its mate has been 93T from original territory west of River over downtown Des Moines. Around the nation in recent years, there are only two other instances of one male defending two mates and territories.
Supporters and friends of peregrine recovery in Midwest will be on hand to discuss details of this meaningful work. Lowell Washburn, falconer and chairman of Iowa Peregrine Falcon Recovery team, will accompany his live falcon, so all can view and share same air space with these magnificent raptors.
Click Here To Return To The Previous Page
