This bird was one of the early migrants into Utah in the first week of April this year. Swainson’s Hawks winter in South America, which means they funnel through narrow Central America as they migrate each way. To give you an idea of how many birds that involves, 845,000 of them have been counted as they passed over Veracruz, Mexico in a single autumn. Incredible!
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, natural light, not baited, set up or called in
I found this bird in a remote area of Box Elder County, hunting from power poles. One of the reasons I like this image is because it’s fairly unusual for me to get a raptor in full flight (instead of just after taking off, note the position of the feet) when it’s not soaring or gliding with its wings in a horizontal position.
I’m always interested when I can get images that contrast the ventral and dorsal colors and plumage patterns of the same species in flight. Swainson’s Hawks are quite dark dorsally.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, natural light, not baited, set up or called in
But when you can get good light in the ventral view, the contrast is striking. Even though these two images were taken 34 minutes apart, I’m relatively certain that it’s the same bird in both shots.
This hawk was coming to land on a power pole and even though the flight position screams for a perch in front of the bird, I took the liberty of cloning out the ugly pole and wire (something I don’t often do).
Ron
What magnificent photos! A Swansions like I’ve never seen before, up close and personal. Thanks so much for sharing!
Thank you, Charlotte.
Excellent comparison shots Ron, interesting to see the contrast and one can imagine how this bird might look viewing from above or below.
I thought that difference was interesting too, Jim. Thanks.
Hi Ron,
Like all buteos other than the Red Tail, the Swainson’s hawk is just about useless for falconry. This is too bad, as they are very comon and well mannered. I have been around a few re-hab birds and they are beautiful.
Based on the feather imperfection on the fifth primary, I think you are safe in assuming that this is the same bird. This will be fixed the next time the bird bathes and/or preens.
Thanks for sharing the nice shots.
Mark
Thanks very much for the interesting perspective from a falconer’s point of view, Mark. I’d never thought of the fact that most buteos wouldn’t make good falconry birds, but it makes sense. I also appreciate you pointing out that feather imperfection as a way of knowing it’s the same bird in both photos. I hadn’t noticed it in the second shot.
Sorry Ron, I started my comment and inadvertently got my thumb too close to the touch pad on my tablet and it posted the comment when I was still typing. I wanted to say that the images are so, so fine. I have seen Swainson’s Hawks but never quite realized how striking the delineation between the dark and light feathers on the breast could be. This was great!
I read your response to Eldridge “…if my subject has feathers I’m happy with it.” I understand that completely!
No problem, Sharon. I just deleted the incomplete comment. I didn’t want my response to Eldridge to sound like I don’t appreciate mammals and other wildlife – I do, a lot. And I photograph them when I have the chance. But birds give so much more opportunity, diversity and beauty that I just prefer them…
first photo hardly looks like a bird it is such a flat top. Very unusual shape . Hawks are very powerful images so you have that going for you before you take a shot. If there was suddenly no hawks for you to photograph ,what would be your next bird or animal that could attract your interest as well hawks.
Thanks, Eldridge. If there were no hawks to photograph, my next choice might be owls. But I’m really not that fussy – if my subject has feathers I’m happy with it. I do prefer birds over other types of wildlife though…
Once again, thanks for allowing me to start my morning with these beautiful shots!
And good morning to you, Tana. Thank you.
Gorgeous light bird Ron! Only 5 months left until they return…
It’ll be a long 5 months, Mike. At least there’s the winter raptors to tide me through…