Swainson's Hawk juvenile on a wire fenceSwainson’s Hawk juvenile on a wire fence – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

Yesterday was frustrating for me near Snowville, Utah because there were raptors all around but not many of them were close enough to photograph and the ones that were close were either very skittish or wouldn’t fly off of the power poles even after long periods of time.

But this juvenile Swainson’s Hawk was tolerant of the pickup with two big lenses sticking out of it even after we went past it, turned around and came back to photograph the young hawk.

Yawning juvenile Swainson's HawkYawning juvenile Swainson’s Hawk – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

The immature bird even yawned while I was photographing it. These two frames were taken with a farmer’s fields showing below the rusty wire fence and although it looks like sky above the fence in the background it is really distant mountains with the blue sections being shadows from clouds that were overhead. Strange, but true.

Juvenile Swainson's Hawk fly byJuvenile Swainson’s Hawk fly by – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1800, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited

The young Swainson’s Hawk might have stayed around longer but a big rig drove past and it took flight. I wish I had bumped my EV up 1/3 of  a step because I had to increase the exposure of this frame a smidge in Photoshop and I don’t like doing that because it can increase any visible noise.

I wasn’t happy that the semi went by when it did but I’m happy this bird was perched on the fence because the only other decent images I got yesterday were of a Turkey Vulture who will also make an appearance on my blog soon!

Life is good.

Mia

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