Prairie Falcon with a white cloud in the backgroundPrairie Falcon with a white cloud in the background – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 320, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

I spent some time in the Centennial Valley of Montana yesterday and the best bird of the morning was this adult Prairie Falcon photographed on a cattle chute with a white cloud in the background. By the way, if you look under the falcon’s tail you can see the falcon got photo bombed by two tiny midges. I was surprised that the falcon hung around for as long as it did and although some people might not like the white cloud in the background I think it highlights the falcon’s colors beautifully.

Defecating Prairie FalconDefecating Prairie Falcon – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 320, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

And anyone who doesn’t like it… well the bird shows what it thinks of that.

I also like the texture of its feathers and of the corner post of the cattle chute it perched on.

Deceased juvenile Short-eared Owl on barbed wireDeceased juvenile Short-eared Owl on barbed wire – Nikon D810, f8, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 18-200mm at 200mm, natural light, not baited

But I do have some bad news to report from Clark County, Idaho where barbed wire claimed another casualty, a deceased juvenile Short-eared Owl that must have gotten caught in the fence a few days ago. Seeing this young owl hung on the fence breaks my heart. I makes me sick. I’m sorry this owl couldn’t be saved. So damned sorry.

Seeing and photographing the Prairie Falcon took a bit of the sting out.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Prairie Falcon photos plus facts and information about this species.