So far this year Swainson’s Hawk populations seem to be a little spotty. I’m finding them in normal concentrations in some areas but in others where there’s been good numbers of them in the past they seem to be rare or nonexistent. I’m not really alarmed about it, rather I suspect this is just one more example of localized bird numbers being difficult to predict.
1/5000, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4tc, not baited, set up or called in
I encountered this light morph Swainson’s two days ago in the Heber Valley as it foraged for food (grasshoppers most likely) in a pasture of lush grass and spent dandelions. I was able to get some shots of it in the grass but I was much too close for take-off shots with my 500mm prime lens even with teleconverter removed so I quickly grabbed my second 7D with the 100-400 zoom lens. I focused, fired a test shot for exposure, adjusted that exposure (all of which took about 3 seconds) and a millisecond before I was able to refocus the bird launched so I missed those shots.
Birds seem to have a knack for doing something interesting at the most inopportune times!
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
It landed on a nearby pole so once again I set up for take-off and this time it worked out. Even though the perch isn’t ideal I cropped this way to leave it in since the hawk has obviously just taken off from something that the eye begs to see (besides, there’s a lot of blue sky in this image as it is…).
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
Unfortunately the bird launched mostly in my direction which generally provides less appealing images as it often doesn’t take the best advantage of light, even at this early hour of the morning. The appeal of head-on flight shots is in the eye of the beholder but I tend to like them for the variety they provide and the good look at both eyes.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
The wing position in the next shot in the burst provided some light on the dorsal surface of the left wing and back.
Since the subject of this post is Swainson’s Hawks, despite their poor quality I couldn’t resist including the following two images. They were taken at mid-day with the sun slightly behind the bird so I’d normally have scrapped both images but they revealed something interesting about the hawk so I kept them.
This bird greeted us early last week as we topped Monida hill overlooking Montana’s Centennial Valley, which we took as a promising omen for our trip since one of our primary goals was to photograph raptors. Even through the viewfinder as I was snapping the shots I was struck by the huge size of its bulging crop.
I realize that judging such a feature in a photo can be misleading depending on light and perspective…
but I saved 15 images of this bird in flight at varying heights and angles and each of them shows the same thing – a hugely distended crop.
The last meal of this hawk must have been a doozy!
Ron
Do you think that bird may have swallowed an eagle that swallowed a hawk that swallowed a vole…or two???
I have it on good authority that he swallowed the Pillsbury Doughboy. Thought it was a well-fed albino vole…
I think these “disappointing” shots are quite wonderful….I especially like the first one, peeking out of the grass, and the second…an usual shot but I really like it..
Thanks, Patty. If there were light in the eye in those last two shots I’d like them more…
I don’t know how many times I have scanned up and down – and back again this morning. Even on the screen these are heart-stirring images. And I am still chuckling at the bird that Weight Watchers would love to talk to. And thrilled that it got such a meal. And awed that it could fly.
That thought came to my mind too, Elephant’s Child – how does this bird get off the ground?…
Seeing your magnificent photos and reading your comments is the highlight of my day! Thank you!
And you just made mine, Jane. Thank you.
I really like the full crop pictures. 🙂 May not be the best light but the first of the two really appeals to me because of the way the undercarriage (lol) is lit up. 😀
“Undercarriage” – I like the use of that term in this context, Arwen. Might have to steal it…
Steal away!
Gorgeous photos – including the ones you would have scrapped. I really like the second photo, where the bird has just taken off – it’s a view of a bird that we don’t usually have, and I love the look of concentration on its face. I also really like the last shot for what it reveals of the feather patterns. Beyond that, it’s nice to see a well-fed hawk.
“Beyond that, it’s nice to see a well-fed hawk.”
I couldn’t agree more, Susan.
I like the image with the post very, because its upside-down vee shape echoes the vee of the bird’s wings. The dynamism of the bird versus the quiet solidity of the post. Lovely images. It makes me so happy to see these birds, healthy in their natural habitat. Since I work in a rehab center, we see mainly the bruised, the battered, and the non-viable. Waah! So thank you, Ron.
I imagine such work could be both depressing and highly rewarding, Deborah. Thank you for doing it!
Amazing photos Ron ( was again) ! I especially like the one cresting the hill.
It was sure fun to see that bird just as we approached the valley, John. It was almost like it was greeting us as we came back “home”…
Ah come on Ron, these guys see you coming and they just want to preform so they can get their picture taken!!
All kidding aside, these are wonderful shots of a great hawk. I can’t believe you were able to get these poses and so close. Fantastic job!
Yeah right, Dick! Actually, when they see me coming I swear they usually actively calculate how they can screw up the shot when they take off and then smile in evil delight as they do it…
Thank you.
What wonderful shots Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.