I spent some time in the Centennial Valley of Montana yesterday and the best bird I spotted was this adult Prairie Falcon photographed on a cattle chute with a white cloud in the background.

Prairie Falcon with a white cloud in the background, Centennial Valley, Beaverhead County, MontanaPrairie Falcon with a white cloud in the background – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 320, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

By the way, if you look under the falcon’s tail you can see the falcon got photo bombed by two tiny midges. I was surprised that the falcon hung around for as long as it did and although some people might not like the white cloud in the background I think it highlights the falcon’s colors beautifully.

Defecating Prairie Falcon, Centennial Valley, Beaverhead County, MontanaDefecating Prairie Falcon – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 320, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

And anyone who doesn’t like it… well the falcon shows what it thinks of that. 😉😁

I also like the texture of its feathers and of the corner post of the cattle chute it perched on.

Deceased juvenile Short-eared Owl on barbed wire, Clark County, IdahoDeceased juvenile Short-eared Owl on barbed wire – Nikon D810, f8, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 18-200mm at 200mm, natural light, not baited

But I do have some bad news to report from Clark County, Idaho where barbed wire claimed another casualty, a deceased juvenile Short-eared Owl that must have gotten caught in the fence a few days ago. Seeing this young owl hung on the fence breaks my heart. I makes me sick. I’m sorry this owl couldn’t be saved. So damned sorry.

Seeing and photographing the Prairie Falcon took a bit of the sting out.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Prairie Falcon photos plus facts and information about this species.