Intermediate morph Swainson's Hawk staring at meIntermediate morph Swainson’s Hawk staring at me – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

Yesterday I wrote that fall is the time of the year that I say a fond farewell to Swainson’s Hawks and that I look forward to seeing Rough-legged Hawks and not long after I posted I was out the door to go out into the field for the first time in more than a week.

Mid-morning I found a perched intermediate morph Swainson’s Hawk in Box Elder County and was delighted when it didn’t fly off immediately.

However, the mosquitoes in that particular area made it very difficult to photograph the hawk, there must have been a horde of 300 of them waiting for just the right time to bite me. I even had to spit one out because somehow the horrible thing had gotten into my mouth.  Nasty bugs! I will be glad to see colder weather just to get rid of those blood-suckers.

Maybe I’ll photograph another Swainson’s Hawk before they all leave for South America and maybe I won’t but I am glad this one gave me the chance to photograph it.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Swainson’s Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.