From the streets of Providence, birds perched high on downtown architecture may look like ordinary pigeons, but a keen eye and a powerful lens bring the rare peregrine falcons into view. For over ten years, the fastest animal on the planet has patrolled the downtown skyline, protecting their domain and rearing nearly thirty chicks.

But the falcons are not the only raptors in town – downcity’s burnside park is usually filled with people, but in colder months only the pigeons and squirrels remain, plus the voracious hawks that come to hunt them. Contrary to urban legend, these birds of prey are not brought in by local governments to rid the city of vermin – they are completely wild and reclaiming their territory.

Providence Raptors
by Peter Green

For more info, here’s a recent interview: In Downcity Q & A with Peter Green

My photography was on display for the month of April 2011 in the windows of 65 Eddy Street in downtown Providence, behind City Hall. To purchase canvas prints, please click here.

© 2011 Peter Green. All rights reserved.

© 2011 Peter Green. All rights reserved.

THANK YOU to the Audubon Society of Rhode Island for hosting my exhibit Sept-October 2010 and to all those who visited the gallery in Bristol.