Swainson's hawk

Gallery: AvianPosted August 25, 201173 views13 comments

Image from Montana this past spring. My first encounter with a Swainson's. They are really cool birds. I was hoping for a flight shot, but when this bird did finally take off after about an hour of just hanging out, it flew directly into the low morning sun. Please view the larger version for max details.

Canon 1DM4
500mm f/4 + 1.4x TC
ISO 800
1/2500s
f/6.3
Manual exp.
Hand held
60% of FF

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on August 25, 2011 at 7:54 AM

They are definitely cool birds, and you captured it quite well. I love that perch, it really makes for a beautiful composition. Nice head turn by the bird too, and really nice light.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Dudley on August 25, 2011 at 8:47 AM

Perfect perch, handsome subject and great light on the hawk Ron. Exposure and DOF look just right for the situation. I also like the way the bird is sitting so high in the tree - often in these situations you can't see the legs and parts of the tail and wing tips at all. Well done.

Registered on March 30, 2007, 437 Posts, 10915 Comments

Comment posted by Richard Ditch on August 25, 2011 at 10:41 AM

Very nice. The image quality is excellent and I'd never have suspected ISO 800 or hand held for this.

Registered on November 1, 2003, 1031 Posts, 12705 Comments

Comment posted by Bill Maile on August 25, 2011 at 10:42 AM

Awesome bird Ron, I've never seen one in person, amazed at how the feathering kind of reminds me of a BE.

Registered on March 2, 2009, 984 Posts, 2518 Comments

Comment posted by KC Choo on August 25, 2011 at 11:37 AM

Lovely shot! I am always delighted to see these beautiful Hawks in late spring and the summer because, in April, Charlie and I were able to watch them migrate north from South America, some as far south as Argentina, through the Borrego Springs, CA area.

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by Ray Whitt on August 25, 2011 at 6:00 PM

Excellent image, the detail is and pose are great.

Ray

Registered on May 27, 2011, 92 Posts, 2619 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on August 25, 2011 at 11:20 PM

Nice crisp image, Ron. I like the pose and eye contact.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on August 25, 2011 at 11:46 PM

really nice pose, light, dof and comp, Ron. I just saw my first of the year fall migrant of this species today, headed south over the canyon rim, always a treat!

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Steve Balke on August 26, 2011 at 7:53 PM

To me, the perch and the blue sky are what makes this shot outstanding, Ron. The branches extend over the breadth of the image yet don't interfere with our view of the hawk. Contrast of sky and perch with the hawk really draw our attention to the bird.

Registered on June 18, 2009, 229 Posts, 2915 Comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on August 26, 2011 at 8:55 PM

He sure is sitting pretty Ron..Too bad the flight shot didn't work out for you.
I had a rare brief encounter a few days ago for a still at close range, but blew it..
I think it was a Harris's, it was near dusk..
Beautiful raptor here

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on August 26, 2011 at 10:04 PM

I like the lighting and the attractive perch for this species Ron

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Michael Lotito on August 27, 2011 at 4:55 PM

Super perch and lighting! Well done Ron!

Registered on June 26, 2009, 181 Posts, 1558 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on August 27, 2011 at 5:22 PM

One of my favorite Hawks Ron...mainly because they are the only hawks that seem to be okay hanging out with me also

. Great light and detail on this one!

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments