Adult Swainson’s Hawk walking – Nikon D810, f5.6, 1/1600, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I probably photograph Swainson’s Hawks on the ground more than any other hawk species I aim my camera at but it isn’t all that often that I am able to photograph them as close as this adult hawk was to me. The bird had been hidden in the roadside grasses and was flushed when the vehicle went by but only flew over the fence onto the ground instead of flying further away.
It is hard to see in this image but the fence was between the hawk and my camera and the wire fencing material isn’t visible. The only explanation I have for the invisible wire fence is that I was close to both the bird and the fence and perhaps my depth of field and my lens smoothed the wires out so much that they visually disappeared.
Swainson’s Hawk behind a fence – Nikon D810, f5.6, 1/2000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I know they were there.
The Swainson’s Hawk had dropped its prey when it flushed and instead of flying over to it the hawk walked through a hole in the fence, through the grasses and into a shallow ditch where it grabbed a dead rodent (probably a vole) and flew off to finish its interrupted breakfast. The image above was taken just before the hawk went through a hole in the fence at ground level.
I thought the invisible fence made this roadside Swainson’s Hawk in rural Montana an interesting subject to share.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Swainson’s Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
He’s sure a beauty!
So well photographed.
Power, grace, style. And britches.
Beautiful healthy looking bird.
What a great opportunity to produce some really magical photographs of a beautiful raptor! Pretty neat effect of the disappearing fence! Now, if I can just master that technique and learn to apply it on purpose!
Beautiful shots. I really do like the one with the fence showing a bit….really does capture the moment. Love all your photos!!
You have”Done It” again Mia, Beautiful images, such interesting light and catch light. I truly enjoy your work.
One of the most beautiful Swainson’s Hawks I have ever seen!
Wow! Awesome bird & awesome photo.
Mia… how you manage to find so many different species of hawks, and owls
just amazes the “bajeebers” out of me. If I was to come upon as many as you
do, I’m sure I would have to find a bottle of tranquilizers to keep my heart rate
down. A “regal bird,” and you captured that posture beautifully… Well done. ;-)))
Gorgeous. I think you can see the pattern of the fence very faintly against the background. It doesn’t detract from the image at all. I’ve shot coyotes through fences more than once with the identical effect.
We have a few Swainson’s Hawks breeding here in southern Arizona but for us, peak season is late September when they gather here briefly in huge flocks of 100s of birds on their way south. Your beautiful image has whetted my appetite for their arrival.
Steven, I had forgotten to add the image with the fencing material showing that was taken just before the hawk walked through the hole in the fence. I meant to add it before I posted. Haven’t had enough coffee! Thanks for your comment!