A recent comment on this blog by Mike Shaw reminded me that I’ve never made a Swainson’s Hawk blog post. Part of the reason is because I’ve had relatively few opportunities with them so my files are limited. But in reviewing my images I thought I had enough acceptable photos to make a representative post on the species. I’ve deliberately chosen shots that show these hawks from a variety of angles – front, back, side and in flight.
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
I found this young bird hunting grasshoppers along a gravel road at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge. It would catch a ‘hopper, eat it on the road and then return to a nearby fencepost to watch for more of them. The bird seemed to be fearless and paid me very little attention.
1/1200, f/8, ISO 400, 500 f/4
Occasionally it would land on a different post but it didn’t stray far for quite a while. With this pose we get a good look at the back side.
1/1600, f/8, ISO 320, 500 f/4
I thought this screaming pose was interesting enough to include here despite the nictitating membrane partially covering the eye and the slight tightness on the tail.
1/1000, f/8, ISO 320, 500 f/4
This is a different bird and I include the image for the good look at the underside plumage patterns in flight.
1/1600, f/8, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
I found this cooperative adult at Farmington Bay Wildlife Management Area.
1/1600, f/8, ISO 500, 100-400 @ 380mm, 1.4 tc
This was my first shot ever of a Swainson’s Hawk – taken at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. I well remember shaking with excitement at getting so close. Buck fever and bird photography are a poor mix but I eventually calmed down enough to get a couple of relatively sharp shots with the 100-400 zoom.
I need to spend some more time with these hawks – partly because I’m still weak in identifying the different color morphs and ages. Hopefully I’ll soon get the chance to improve my ID skills.
Ron
Ha! Ron, your ears must have been burning! You made a comment on a recent post to the effect of not having much luck with Swainson’s. It immediately triggered memories of you stating the same at various times about Prairies and Golden Eagles, only to have awesome images of both species appear on your blog soon after. Hmmm I thought, does this mean he’ll do the same with my favorite bird*, the Swainson’s hawk? YES! Thanks, you made my day. Can’t wait for these to get here. None have been reported coming through Veracruz yet, so they’re not imminent. But soon.
*Love the way they look, the fact that they get on the nesting grounds late and have to elbow their way in, build “just good enough” nests due to their tight schedule, carry themselves with attitude, and fly like their tail’s on fire!
Loved them all, but the bird in flight took my breath away. Thank you.
Stunning images, Ron. I wonder if in my early days I may have confused one with a Red-tailed. I, too, have trouble with hawk IDs. But I am learning.
P.S. I won’t be commenting for a few days, because I and my bride are heading for the Big Bend country of far southwest Texas tomorrow morning. We’ll be gone for about five days and I will catch up then.