Juvenile Swainson's Hawk stretching its wingsJuvenile Swainson’s Hawk stretching its wings – Nikon D810, f8, 1/1250, ISO 400, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

I had wanted to share this photo of a juvenile Swainson’s Hawk last week from Montana but because my cell signal was so cruddy I didn’t get this image uploaded. I really like the pose. There were two juvenile Swainson’s Hawks that spent a lot of time perched, preening, and stretching on these fence posts one morning and to my delight this pose was caught in profile not from the back of the bird like it so often happens.

It won’t be long before this juvenile Swainson’s Hawk joins its parents and thousands of other Swainson’s in a long journey to the pampas in South America. They might even fly over the Wasatch Mountains here in Utah as they migrate.

Safe journey young one, safe flight.

Life is good.

Mia

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