Neal Parekh

Neal Parekh Nature and Wildlife Photographer based in Southern California

Sony Alpha System

06/02/2026

A food transfer between Peregrine Falcons, just outside of the nest and in perfect line of sight of their four eyasses. Fledging time is near! While photo opportunities at this site have been low lately, this pair has been remaining amazingly efficient while delivering food to their nest.

The few days ahead of fledging are often some of the most interesting of the season. The adult falcons will often try to encourage their young by executing transfers close to the nest and flying by repeatedly while carrying prey.

05/28/2026

Sunset over sandstone cliffs along the Pacific Ocean, an adult Peregrine Falcon patrols, making it clear to everyone who owns the area.

The dramatic color shift that happens here as golden hour begins to end is stunning. Observing the local falconsin this light is another level! This is one of my favorite locations to be at this time of year... and with an astounding falcon family raising four eyasses - just incredible.

05/25/2026

Dive with a Peregrine Falcon at sunset over the cliffs of Southern California. An adult female Peregrine Falcon soars in golden hour skies and enters into a dive, or stoop, as she darts to one of her favorite cliffside perches. Peregrines can reach speeds in excess of 200mph during these dives, needless to say I slowed this footage down by 4x to show her extraordinary flight.

I especially enjoy the fact that she passed in front of the lighthouse here which serves as a great frame of reference for the dive.

05/24/2026

Peregrine Falcons over the cliffs of Southern California transfer scraps from an earlier catch - what was once a large pigeon. This dramatic mid-air act is multipurpose, they have four young eyasses waiting for food below and must provide for them multiple times a day.

Here you see the male dangling the scraps for his mate to catch. She then carries the prey past their nest, as if to inspire her young to inch closer to the edge. Her goal is to coach them into flight, first mainly through learning by observing her.

05/22/2026

A fledgling Peregrine Falcon soars along sandstone cliffs in search of her parents. Perhaps play, or perhaps out of hunger, the young falcon forces her father out of his perched spot. The resemblance to human interaction is uncanny, these hardworking parents can get only a few moments of rest at a time during this season!

05/18/2026

Bobbing and weaving, a young Great Horned Owl calls out while trying to get her mother's attention. Rather than fly over, a good scratching session is in order - watch to the end for a look at her impressive talons! This fledgling is doing very well thanks to her attentive parents and her knack for flight; she has learned quickly.

This was captured around sunset in low lighting under an oak forest canopy - a fast lens and quick adjustments based on the light allowed for some awesome details to come through.

05/15/2026

Some of the first moments out of the nesting tree for this Great Horned Owlet. Nature can be harsh and unfortunately this young one has not been seen after this day. His sibling is doing quite well but this serves as a reminder of how sensitive some species are.

For Great Horned Owls, it is common to see owlets on the ground shortly before fledging. This is often part of their natural first steps towards maturing, though it comes with many added risks. Being on the ground at this young age, unable to fly, makes them susceptible to various predators and unfamiliar territory.

05/12/2026

A Peregrine Falcon fledgling attempts an aerial food transfer from its mother but fails - a quick dive after the dropped bird and it is the adult's turn to show them how it's done! I kept this one as-shot to show the chaos unfold, filmed handheld with my 600gm.

04/26/2026

A surprise visitor on the sandstone cliffs while observing falcons, this San Diego Gopher Snake fell from above and slithered its way around the beach to find safety. These snakes are non-venomous but can grow up to 8 ft long and are known to mimic rattlesnake behavior when threatened, though they do not have a rattle.

04/24/2026

A glimpse into feeding time under a dense oak tree canopy - a mother Great Horned Owlet cares for one of her young. This owlet will soon join her sibling, adventuring out on the branches surrounding their nest. A little eager, or maybe just very hungry, she bites at her mother's horn-like tufts, or plumicorns, seemingly to ask for food.

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