01 August 2025

Peregrine Falcon with Catch Outside My Window

Fastest Bird in the World : The Peregrine Falcon

Peregrine Falcon : Arnhem Milnerton
Peregrine Falcon : Arnhem Milnerton

My closest neighbour, the Peregrine falcon at blistering pace just after catching his lunch (outside my bedroom window).

Miserable light conditions, but exited to see him in flight – in any light or distance. He still sleeps the majority of nights just outside my bathroom window. The light there never get switched on at night…

From Arnhem Milnerton, Cape Town (opposite Woodbridge Island)

"Vernon Chalmers is a South African academic, business, training, and development professional. He is also a passionate photographer. His photography training sessions take place in Milnerton and Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden in Cape Town 1. Recently, he captured a stunning image of a Peregrine Falcon outside his window. This majestic bird, known as the fastest bird in the world, caught its lunch in blistering pace, despite the challenging light conditions. Vernon’s photography skills truly shine in moments like these 2.

The Peregrine Falcon is a remarkable bird of prey. It’s known for its incredible speed during hunting dives (reaching up to 240 miles per hour or 386 kilometers per hour). Vernon’s close encounters with this falcon have allowed him to capture its beauty in flight and at rest 2." (Source: Microsoft Copilot 2024)

Canon Camera / Lens Settings
  • Canon EOS 7D Mark II
  • EF 400mm f/5.6L USM Lens
  • Manual Mode
  • Auto-ISO: 3200
  • Aperture: f/5.6
  • Shutter Speed: 1/3200
  • AI Servo: Case 1: Wide Zone
  • 10 fps High Speed Continuous Mode
  • Handheld

Lightroom Post-Processing
  • Adobe Photoshop Lightroom Classic CC

The Peregrine Falcon: Fastest Bird in the World 

Vernon Chalmers Photography Training Intaka Island | Kirstenbosch Garden | Woodbridge Island