On the mornings when we leave Montana’s Centennial Valley the 27 miles of dirt road until we hit pavement are always a little depressing because we’re so reluctant to leave that wonderful place. But occasionally our melancholy is assuaged and our spirits lifted by birds and other wildlife we see on the way out. Such was the case on the morning of July 3 when I photographed the attack of the Swainson’s Hawk on the Red-tailed Hawk and this dark morph Swainson’s Hawk taking off from a hilltop just before we reached the freeway and “civilization”.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
When we spotted the hawk it was on the ground and partially obscured by sagebrush and grasses so I suspect it had made an attempt at prey. It apparently wanted to use the slope of the hill as an aid in take-off which was to our advantage because that meant it launched in our general direction rather than away from us.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
I was pulling the camping trailer and the hawk was on the right side of the road so I had to get out of my pickup and brace my 500mm lens on the open door which is far from ideal long-lens technique. I fired off a couple of bursts as it took off but only a few of the shots were reasonably sharp and not clipped. In this image I wish I had more room at the bottom because there were some blue flowers down there that would have looked nice in the background.
The Centennial Valley is usually raptor-heaven but most species have been alarmingly scarce these last two trips. Red-tailed Hawks and Bald Eagles seem to be present in reasonable concentrations but Swainson’s Hawks, Ferruginous Hawks, Prairie Falcons, Peregrine Falcons and even American Kestrels seem to be noticeably reduced in numbers this summer. I hope it’s a temporary phenomenon or that my anecdotal observations and “conclusions” are inaccurate but I’ve noticed the same trend here at home in Utah.
And I don’t like it.
Ron
I don’t think I ever tire of watching the elegance and strength of raptors. Lovely photographs.
Breathtaking, very special images. What a nice way to have the pain of leaving Centennial Valley mitigated…
Enjoyed these shots-thanks Ron.
Such a beautiful, elegant, powerful bird. Civilisation really doesn’t have a lot to recommend it some days. (Though a flushing toilet has a lot of charm).
That toilet reference brought a big smile to my face, Elephant’s Child. Thanks for that!
My feelings exactly, Elephant’s Child! That’s why I am not a camper.
Beautiful photos!
Thank you, Jerry.
Hi Ron,
Thank you. Beautiful images of one of my favorite birds. For the past three years, I have observed a dark morph female that is paired with an intermediate morph male in the Klamath Basin (Oregon). Swainson’s Hawks are real beauties, and one of my signs of spring every year. By the way, based largely on your observations and reports, I will be including the Centennial Valley on my “great American road trip” next year – back roads and byways of the American West between Oregon and the Dakotas. I hope to see lots of birds, but I’m going to enjoy just “being there”. Thanks again!
Cheers,
Dick
Neat! Let me know when you’ll be there, Dick – maybe I will be too. It would be fun to meet you.
They are such amazing birds.
Yes they are, Arwen.
Gorgeous bird! The drought and lack of prey is causing nest failures and big problems for raptors. It’s bad here in Southern CA this year.
I’ve heard about the problems you’re having down there, Leslie. It’s a little dry here too but certainly not that bad.
Beautiful shots–disturbing observations…especially since we haven”t seen as much hawk activity here, either…….???
I’ve heard similar reports from other folks around the country, Patty. Disturbing…
Wonderful shots Ron! Thanks so much for sharing!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.