Yesterday morning in northern Utah I saw about a dozen Swainson’s Hawks in about 2.25 miles, some were perched, some were in flight and all of them were wonderful to photograph. I found it difficult to keep up with how many there were so I just stopped counting.  It is a pretty straight stretch of road so I could easily spot them plus it felt like a “Swainson’s Hawk Gallery” with the hawks just waiting in line to be photographed.

Male light morph Swainson's Hawk in morning lightMale light morph Swainson’s Hawk in morning light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 320, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

It was chilly yesterday morning and some of the hawks seemed to be warming up in the sun from the cold night. This male was pretty sticky.

Morning light on a light morph Swainson's HawkMorning light on a light morph Swainson’s Hawk – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 320, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

This Swainson’s was beautiful in the morning light with sagebrush and grasses in the background along with the distant mountains.

Adult Swainson's Hawk close up in side lightAdult Swainson’s Hawk close up in side light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

By driving slow past the Swainson’s Hawks there were times I could take close up photos of them with my long lens without the hawks showing any signs of being alarmed. When other vehicles went past they barely even flinched. I wonder if the other drivers even saw these magnificent birds or if they were in such a hurry to get where they were going they just ignored the hawks.

Dark morph Swainson's Hawk in early morning lightDark morph Swainson’s Hawk in early morning light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1640, ISO 250, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

Most of the Swainson’s Hawks seemed like all they wanted to do was absorb the warmth of the rising sun before getting started on their day. I’m kind of like that but I substitute coffee for the sun to get my day off to the right start.

Close up of dark morph Swainson's Hawk in golden lightClose up of dark morph Swainson’s Hawk in golden light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

This dark morph Swainson’s Hawk looked rufous in the golden light when passing it, this is the same bird as the photo directly above this one but the angle of light had changed while moving down the road. I’m seeing quite a few dark morph Swainson’s this year in northern Utah and that delights me.

Sub-adult Swainson's Hawk perched on an old fence postSub-adult Swainson’s Hawk perched on an old fence post – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 320, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

I believe this is a sub-adult intermediate morph Swainson’s Hawk and it was very cooperative. I took way too many images of it from several different spots from the shoulder of the road.

Male Swainson's Hawk casting a pelletMale Swainson’s Hawk casting a pellet – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 320, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

And I couldn’t resist sharing a photo of this male Swainson’s casting a pellet of fur and bones. I have a great series of the hawk expelling this pellet and a second one that can be seen in the hawk’s beak that followed it.

It is terrific to have the Swainson’s Hawks back in Utah, to see them perched on fence posts, trees and rocks, to see them soaring in the sky and to be able to photograph them once again. I had a great time with them yesterday.

Life is so good.

Mia

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