Peregrine Falcon (Falco peregrinus)

One of the world's fastest birds; in power-diving from great heights to strike prey, the Peregrine may possibly reach 200 miles per hour. Regarded by falconers and biologists alike as one of the noblest and most spectacular of all birds of prey. Although it is found on six continents, the Peregrine is uncommon in most areas; it was seriously endangered in the mid-20th century because of the effects of DDT and other persistent pesticides. This sculpture depicts a peregrine making its’turn into a stoop as it chases its’prey. This sculpture is 18” high. The Peregrine is carved from Tupelo and mounted on a piece of driftwood shaped to look like a dead tree branchand painted with acrylics.The base is a piece of black granite cutintothe shadow of the peregrine. Because of the bird’s pose, it was difficult to figure out how to mount with feet and wings tucked. If I created another Peregrine in this pose, I would use a different branch configuration. This one looks a bit clunky