Box Elder County | on the wing photography

Wierd things I see while out photographing birds

By Mia McPherson, on April 17th, 2012%

Airplane image taken with my HTC EVO

It is really odd to see a plane on the road to the campsite when you are way out in the boonies and there isn’t an airport in sight for miles. This plane had apparently just landed on the narrow road near the campground, the propeller and plane were still moving when we pulled up.

Locomotive Springs is about 54 miles west of I-15 and once you pass The Golden Spike National Historic Area there is a long gravel road to travel on.

You just never know what you will see when out looking for birds to photograph.

Mia

Swainson’s Hawk (FOY)

By Mia McPherson, on April 16th, 2012%

Perched Swainson's Hawk adult - Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

Last week while searching for Golden Eagles to photograph in Box Elder County, Utah I spotted two Swainson’s Hawk (Buteo swainsoni) adults; my first of the year sightings, the first one perched on a power pole. Normally I prefer perches that are not so obviously man made but I was hoping for some lift off shots.

Adult Swainson's Hawk lifting off - Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

In this next frame the hawk did just that, it lifted off.

Swainson's Hawk spreading its wings - Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

Taking off from the power pole it didn’t take long for the Swainson’s to spread out its magnificent wings. It was looking at something across the road to the east where a farmer was working in a field. The farmer may have been stirring up insects or causing small rodents to scurry across the soil in plain view of the raptor.

Swainson's Hawk in flight - Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

Instead of grabbing prey from the field the hawk wheeled over it and headed back towards the perch it had left only moments before.

Swainson's concentrating on its landing perch - Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

This Swainson’s seemed to prefer perching on the thin wire attached to the power pole rather than on top of it, I imagine that it takes concentration to land on such a tiny perch.

Swainson's Hawk prior to landing - Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

Here the perch was just slightly above where the hawk was. I wish the angle of the light had lit up the underside of the bird better, but I am still happy with this pose, the sky/cloud background and the intense look of concentration in the eye of the Swainson’s.

Swainson's Hawk about to land - Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

Wow, I love this pose and wish I could have gotten it without the wires in the background.

Swainson's Hawk flying away - Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

Another Swainson’s Hawk came in and landed on top of one of the power poles nearby and although I took images of it, the angle was rather steep.

Then the Swainson’s that had landed on the wire took off and I was able to get this image as it flew past.

I’m hoping to have many more opportunities to photograph Swainson’s Hawks this year both in Utah and Montana, heck just about anywhere I can find them!

Mia

* I am away for a few days so I have scheduled this post ahead of time. Please feel free to share it.

Marsh Wrens

By Mia McPherson, on January 8th, 2012%

Marsh Wren in Cattail fluff
Marsh Wren (Cistothorus palustris) in Cattail fluff ~ Bear River National Wildlife Refuge, Utah
Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

I photographed these male Marsh Wrens during breeding season when they were calling on their territories, while the male and female are alike in most aspects the exception is that only the males sing. And sing they do! Individual western males often have more than 100 songs and they are especially vocal when they are trying to attract a mate.

Marsh Wren male perched on a Cattail
Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

Marsh Wrens are year round residents in Utah except for the northern most portion of the state. They prefer fresh and saltwater marsh habitats where there are grasses, reeds, sedges and cattails present. It can be a challenge to photograph Marsh Wrens in the open but during breeding season the males often perch high on the vegetation while they are singing. They also move very quickly so it can be hard to keep track of them.

Male Marsh Wren singing
Nikon D200, f6.3, 1/1500, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

Though Wrens are small in size I find that they have big attitudes. When I lived on the east coast I had Carolina Wrens that nested underneath my kitchen window where my sink was located, when I “dared” to wash my dishes the adult would sit on the windowsill and voice its displeasure. Loudly! That still makes me chuckle.

Marsh Wrens are amusing to observe, photograph and listen to. There is never a dull moment with them.

Mia