We returned home yesterday afternoon from our latest camping/photo trip to Montana/Idaho. It was another great outing – this time the weather mostly cooperated (including no smoke from forest fires to the west), we met some new friends and once again explored some fabulous new country. We also had some memorable photographic opportunities with a variety of birds and other wildlife.
This is the time of year that Swainson’s Hawks usually begin to converge on the Centennial Valley to feast on grasshoppers and believe me the area produces grasshoppers in abundance – probably more of them than I’ve ever seen elsewhere (and I grew up on a Montana farm where grasshoppers were unfortunately one of our most successful crops). When we’re looking for birds to photograph we often cruise the dirt roads with the windows partially open and they’re constantly flying into my pickup. The impact from them hitting you, even at 25 mph, really stings and I’m sure that I’ll find a herd of live Montana grasshoppers in my pickup later this morning, which is par for the course for this time of year.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4tc, not baited, set up or called in
Early on Friday morning last week we found this light-morph Swainson’s perched on an old leaning post in the valley. The only chance I had for a shot that I really liked was in flight so I hoped it would eventually take off in a favorable direction. Often they leisurely turn around on their perch to take off away from you but this bird…
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4tc, not baited, set up or called in
was more cooperative. I left the top of the post in the image because I don’t like to clone and because the obvious take-off posture of the hawk screams for a perch back there.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4tc, not baited, set up or called in
I was able to get two shots in flight with interesting and contrasting wing positions and no body parts clipped. Sometimes I don’t get any so I’ll take those results.
Luck always plays a significant part in my photographic results on these excursions to Montana and this trip I had more than my share of the “bad” variety – lost focus on birds in flight, an excessive number of birds flying away from me, poor lighting angles, unfortunate timing – the list goes on. But as I cull the thousands of images I took on this trip over the next few days I’m confident I’ll find some gems among them and I’ll be sharing those images in the weeks to come.
It was a great trip but it’s also good to be home, especially because we were greeted by much-needed rain! .
Ron
These are certainly gems and I’m confident you will find many more. I love the positions of the wings in the flight shots.
I love that last shot because I can see how the coloring dots up the wings. So pretty.
Simply sensational shots Ron! Thanks so much for sharing.
Charlotte
These are beautiful photos. I’m glad the weather worked out for you, and also glad that you are getting rain. We woke up to it this morning, which was really nice.
Thanks, Susan. And the rain was so very welcomed here. It came down for most of 24 hours and is just now beginning to clear out.
Welcome back.
Britches and beauty to greet me this morning. Thank you.
And I hear you on the grasshopper front. A friend of ours got a spectacular black eye when he collided with one while he was riding his bike. For a little critter they pack a punch.
Your “britches” comments always bring a smile to my face, Elephant’s Child. That smile was much welcomed – today in particular.
And yes, ‘hoppers at speed can truly lift a welt.
The wing contrast and extension, the facial features and eye, the legs and talons extended – it all comes together in the last photo. Love it. Thanks for sharing. Welcome back and looking forward to the next few days of culling and I am sure some lovely photos if these three are any indication.
Thank you, Angela. Didn’t get any culling done today, though – instead I played environmental activist at a very frustrating meeting of the Utah Wildlife Board regarding a crow hunt here in Utah. It was emotionally draining and in the end, unproductive. I’d rather be culling and that says a lot…
Great shots, especially of the feet. I really love it that they eat grasshoppers. There is something alien about those insects, they just give me the creeps, especially when they are 3 inches long and hop in a moving vehicle. You go, Swainson’s Hawks!
Ha! I well remember your feelings about grasshoppers, Tana. Sure a good thing we’ve got them though, at least for the Swainson’s and your (our) beloved kestrels though…
Lovely – eye light and all. Welcome back!
Thank you, Alison.
Ron, the post had to stay in to give the shot the momentum of the hawk. Great choice, great bird! Thanks
I agree, Diana. Thanks.