Close up Tree Swallow perched on a fence post, Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge, Centennial Valley, Beaverhead County, MontanaClose up Tree Swallow perched on a fence post – Nikon D500, f9, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

My first trip up to Montana and Idaho usually happens in late May or early June but for various reasons this year it didn’t happen until July. That meant I missed the territorial squabbles between Mountain Bluebirds and Tree Swallows for the nesting boxes that have been installed along many of the roads in the Centennial Valley of Montana. I missed seeing and photographing both species taking nesting materials to the boxes and feeding their nestlings too. There were still a few Tree Swallows hanging out at nest boxes though I never saw them taking food to their young.

While stopped at a gate at Red Rock lakes NWR a Tree Swallow flew in and landed on a fence post so close that I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to focus on it but I had to try. I quickly turned off the limiter on my lens and hoped I was just far enough away to be able to obtain sharp, in focus images. At first the bird was facing directly towards me but it soon fluttered and turned its body so I could photograph it from the tip of its tiny beak to its tail.

I didn’t take many photos of Tree Swallows on my recent trip up north but I sure enjoyed photographing this one.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Tree Swallow photos plus facts and information about this species.