Near a fairly remote road I travel regularly while looking for birds there’s a large rock outcropping near the top of a curve on a hill. Last year a pair of Swainson’ Hawks nested nearby and they both habitually perched on that rock so I got many nice photos of them there. For much of last summer I could almost count on at least one of the birds being there so I began to call the rock “Swainson’s Hawk Rock”.
1/800, f/11, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
This is that rock (although only a small portion of the top of it can be seen in this photo). Occasionally both birds would be there and on this morning last May I was lucky enough to photograph them mating on one of their favorite perches. Here the female is waiting submissively as the male swoops in to mate with her – he actually landed on her back.
This summer there’s been another pair of Swainson’s (possible the same birds?) nesting in the area and using most of the same perches but I’ve never seen either one of them on Swainson’s Hawk Rock.
Until yesterday.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
As I crested the curve on the hill and the rock came into view this is the sight that greeted me and I was delighted to see it. If it’s the same pair this would be the male. “He” watched me for a few moments and then decided to put on a show for me as he took off at a perfect angle for flight shots.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I love the underwing plumage patterns of the adult light morph Swainson’s and this posture showed them off nicely.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
The background provided some pleasing (to me) pastel colors as he launched.
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Here I like the wings wrapping around the body with his face highlighted against the darks of the left wing.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
As he gained height and airspeed…
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, canvas added for composition, not baited, set up or called in
he began to make a slow, gentle turn…
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
toward me that kept good light on his face so I always had a catch light in his eye. In the photos after this one I either cut off body parts or lost focus (or both) on the bird but I was happy to get as many sharp shots as I did.
Dang it was fun to find a bird on this rock again and I hope that trend continues.
Swainson’s Hawk Rock rocks! (say that fast three times – I dare you…).
Ron
Outstanding and beautiful shots!
Spectacular. Glad you were there at the right time. When are you guys coming to RRL?
Thanks, Marilyn. We don’t know. Lots of things going on right now.
Spectacular!
Thanks, LS.
Oh dear, what am I going to do if I decide Swainson’s are really my favorite hawk? 🤔
Man, I love this series of new images and it’s hard to choose one over any others, because those white “underwings” in the 2nd and the curve and drape of wings in the 3rd & 4th are quite spectacular, especially against that wonderful mix of background colors. But if I could have a print over my fireplace, it would have to be the last one … the sense of raptor power really draws me in. I’ve always understood why the military names so many aircraft after them, but the real thing is SO much more amazing in flight.
Fingers X’d that you have many more encounters with this beauty (and its mate)!
I agree, Chris – it’s VERY difficult to choose a “favorite” raptor. Thank you.
I said the phrase three times fast – while reading it, which I’m sure made it easier. This is a beautiful series. I love it when birds cooperate with you!
Thanks, Susan. I can’t do it without tungling my tange!
Phenomenal photo series of a bird that might not be local here in Phoenix.
Thank you, Pat.
It almost seems like this beautiful hawk was posing for you. I googled Swainson’s Hawk and liked the word they used to describe this hawk: “elegant’. It think it is very fitting.
This is a spectacular series of photos and I thank you for sharing them with all of us. We are lucky to have discovered you and enjoy your great talent and dedication. I learned of your Blog from Neil at Pixels.
Neil’s a great guy, Alice. He’s been very good to deal with over the years and he’s helped me out a lot. Thank you.
Wow. And all of the superlatives Laura uses.
Love them all, but it is the fourth which sings to me this morning.
Thank you, EC.
Oh, Ron, what a lovely way to start my morning! As much as I love the flight shots, I think that #3 is my favorite. There’s just something I really connect with when I see a bird with wings vertical just before takeoff. I don’t know what it is, but I always feel so drawn toward any image of a bird in that position. Maybe it’s the potential inherent in the final pre-flight pose. And here the light is perfect to show off all that crisp white plumage.
I agree with you about that pose, Marty. So I was heartbroken a couple of days ago when I clipped the wings of a spectacular Ferruginous Hawk whose wings were in the same vertical position. It’s so damned easy to do…
Clipped wings or not, I’d LOVE to see that shot! 😀
You probably will, Marty.
Oh WOW!! Am I going to have fun with these!!!!! All these pics are great, even thought of doing picture #1, but decided most people would think one is attacking the other.
I’ve got the block of Basswood, but am still looking for a way to have the hawk flying. Yes I like 3, but lean more to 4!
Just need to get my head around it. That is being hampered by our political chaos which hopefully gets straightened out Wed and Thur.
At any rate I have some direction. Still need to work figuring out those delicate curved primaries.
I’M glad it’s you and not me attempting such a carving, Dick! Good luck with all your decisions.
Ron,
Great flight shots. I keep trying to improve mine but focus is a real issue. We persist!
SEC
Thanks, Stephen. We all have problems with getting flight shots sharp at times. Keep at it!
This has to be one of thd most beautiful series oof a hawk…tried to pick a favorite, but couldn ‘t . OK, DICK…NOW WHAT???
Patty, One thing that might appeal to Dick about that third shot is the fact that the bird’s feet are still on the perch which provides him an obvious solution to the problem of anchoring the bird in a wood carving.
He might also combine 3 and 4….this series, your and Mia’s previous shots ought to get his creative juices roaring!!!
WOW! What great pictures.
Len
Thanks, Len.
Gorgeous series, Ron. 🙂 The hawk REALLY cooperated with you and you pulled it together! Background is a perfect foil for the brown of the bird…….. It is nice when a spot is either revisited by previous years residence or new residence like the spot also:) The GHO’s do that also.
Judy, I’ve passed this rock dozens of times over the past few months and never seen hawks on it once so I sure was happy to see this guy there!
Ron: Absolutely beautiful! What great photography, love of nature, and way to start my day. Thank you.
Thanks for the kind words, Richard.
Awesome series Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Wow–the second and third images particularly knocked my socks off– I think that the clear-hued pastels are a perfect foil for the strongly contrasted earth-tones of the Swainsons……
Thanks, Kris. It’s interesting to note the differences in the background colors between the first shot (taken in May last year) and the second shot taken in early June this year because the grasses have already turned color. The only greens in that second shot are from sagebrush.
That. That. That. I typed it three times fast. 🙂
Gorgeous birds!
I just KNEW someone was going to do that! Thanks, Arwen.
Dang! You stole my thunder! 😉