Adult Light Morph Swainson’s Hawk

My last post was of a juvenile light morph Swainson’s Hawk transitioning into a subadult, todays bird is an adult light morph and my next post will be of a dark morph Swainson’s (and perhaps an intermediate morph also) – this is turning into a series…

The birds in all three posts were photographed on my last trip to southwest Montana, July 21 – 26, 2013.

swainson's hawk 3107b ron dudley

 1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or  called in

 Adult light morph Swainson’s have a distinctive dark breast “bib”.  This hawk posed nicely for me before it decided to leave its perch.

 

 

swainson's hawk 3135 ron dudley

 1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 640, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or  called in

 When it did so it surprised me by launching almost directly toward me…

 

 

swainson's hawk 3136 ron dudley

  1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 640, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or  called in, canvas added for composition

and I only got this single shot in flight without clipping anything.

I’ve had success with this species this summer in Montana but so far I’m striking out with them in Utah.  I know they’re here but I’m not finding them in places where I have in the past.

I hope to find some here before they head to Argentina for the winter.

Ron

 

21 Comments

  1. Classic Swainson’s! Love everything about that first image!

  2. breathtakingly pretty boy!!!!!!!!!! does the heart good to see such beauty!!!

  3. I love the “coming at you” angle of the flight shots of this beautiful bird.

  4. Oh my. Dark, light or brindle – they are all beyond beautiful. Thank you so very much. You enrich my world.

  5. Mikal Deese, CWR

    Wonderful, Ron! I happen to have an orphan Swainson’s chick right now that is spectacular. The legs, the belly and underwings are almost pure white, while the back, wings, and head are dark chocolate brown. Each back feather is dark with a lacy white edge. The bib is reduced to a necklace of dark spangles on white. He/she has almost none of the golden rust that usually tie the colors together. The bird will be released soon, so there is no way to know how he’ll change as he matures. They are such individuals. I wonder if they are attracted to mates that look just like good ‘ole mom or dad?

  6. Beautiful shots, and a question: Which color is most common?

    • Tana – light morphs are the most common. About 90% of most populations are light morphs though dark morphs occur more often in the far west than they do elsewhere.

  7. They’re a very handsome raptor in this morph! Another nice series.

  8. Charlotte Norton

    These shots simply take my breath away! No one could look at them and not love birds!
    Charlotte NOrton

  9. Hi Ron, Thank you! A beautiful installment in the “series”!

    I found a mated pair in our area this year – he is an intermediate (rufous) morph, and she is a VERY dark morph. Looking forward (as always) to what comes next. Thanks again!u

  10. So beautiful. I’m in Idaho right now and hope to see one. Last year I had the privilege to see one here.

  11. DITTO!!!!

  12. Gorgeous!!!

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