Light morph Swainson's Hawk in flight over the Centennial ValleyLight morph Swainson’s Hawk in evening light in flight over the Centennial Valley – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

A month ago I was in the Centennial Valley of Montana camping and the hawks I spent the most time photographing were Swainson’s Hawks. The Swainson’s were fueling up for their long migration to Argentina through the Isthmus of Panama and then south through the Andes. Their migration can take up to two months and cover 14,000 miles.

I’ve shared the photographs of this birds young earlier in these previous posts:  A Very Obliging Swainson’s Hawk Juvenile, Light morph Swainson’s Hawk juvenile in low light and  Bird Photography Isn’t Easy But It Does Have Its Rewards.

This adult usually was within eye sight of the juveniles but at times it would fly away to where I couldn’t see it. One of the young hawks was very vocal and called to the adult quite often but when the adult didn’t respond it would search for prey on its own. It is a tough life for these young raptors and many don’t survive their first migration or beyond their first year of life.

I am seeing fewer Swainson’s Hawks now in Utah because most of them have already headed south but in April I expect I will squeal with delight when I see them here again.

Life is good.

Mia

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