Roadside Swainson’s Hawk – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 400, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
There are so many Swainson’s Hawks in northern Utah right now, I see them perched, on their nests, hovering over fields and soaring on the thermals after the sun warms up the air. Yesterday morning I was able to photograph two Swainson’s Hawks that were perched close together next to a well traveled road.
Morning light on a Swainson’s Hawk – Nikon D500, f9, 1/500, ISO 400, -0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Trucks zoomed by and these hawks just ignored them and only followed the vehicles with their eyes. There was a cool breeze blowing at the time and the Swainson’s Hawks may have been just enjoying the warmth of the sun on their feathers. I’m not sure but I am glad they were cooperative birds because that allowed me to photograph them for a few minutes.
Rocks, grasses, clouds and sagebrush – Nikon D810, f11, 1/640, ISO 320, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 18 mm, natural light
Swainson’s Hawks prefer wide open habitat including grasslands, prairies, agricultural fields and I will also see them perched on cliff faces surveying the grasslands below. Lately all I have to do once I am outside of the city is look up and I can see these beautiful raptors on the wing.
Close up of a sub-adult light morph Swainson’s Hawk – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 400, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
This handsome Swainson’s Hawk’s plumage confuses me a little, I know it is a light morph Swainson’s and I believe it is a sub-adult because its plumage isn’t what I expect see in an adult nor is it the plumage of a first Spring bird. It might be a second Spring bird?
Light morph sub-adult Swainson’s Hawk on a post – Nikon D500, f11, 1/320, ISO 400, -1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
However old this Swainson’s Hawk is I think it is a handsome raptor and I am glad it tolerated being photographed from across the road.
Cliff face, mountains and clouds – Nikon D810, f9, 1/800, ISO 320, Nikkor 18-200mm VR at 18 mm, natural light
As much as I love photographing birds I also love seeing the country they live in and fly over. I took the two landscape images a few days ago because I loved the combination of sky, clouds and land formations. The country side here in northern Utah is always a visual delight to my eyes.
So are the birds.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Swainson’s Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
God…I love the hawk’s eyes! So incredibly intense and in such nuanced detail. Thx Mia.
Heart balm.
Thank you.
Magnificent set of photos, thanks.
Love this series…rocky cliffs, blue sky , windswept clouds, sage and beautiful birds close up…thatvsyate has some of the most beautiful, dramatic, land features anywhere on earth! I especially like the close up in the second to last frame…old, weathered wood, gorgeous hawk and crisp, crisp detail…
Beautiful images, Mia
Wow, the scenery is beautiful & so are the Swainson’s Hawks.