Four Red-tailed Hawk chicks in their nest on a desert cliff – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Yesterday I went up to northern Utah hoping to take photos of some Red-tailed Hawk chicks that I know will soon be leaving their nest and I found them. I knew I was taking a risk photographing them because I am allergic to Deer Fly bites and during the summer there are always hordes of those nasty biting flies in the same area as the nest. Those flies zero in on me, I am a deer fly magnet.
I did take loads of photos of the Red-tailed Hawk chicks in their cliff face nest. I spotted two Long-tailed Weasels, one of which was trying to raid a Bullock’s Oriole nest that I also found.
And speaking of the Bullock’s Oriole nest that I found I also watched a Western Kingbird entering that nest several times. I saw the Kingbird take nesting materials into the nest and watched as the female oriole also entered the nest. Something odd was going on there and I wish I could sit and watch that nest to find out if the Western Kingbird takes over the nest or if the Bullock’s Orioles chase the kingbirds away. But I won’t be heading back there for a while. I shouldn’t go back there until the danger of me getting bit by the Deer Flies is gone.
My hand after getting bit by a Deer Fly- Samsung cell phone image
I did get bit by two of the Deer Flies. One bit my left hand which started to hurt and swell soon after I was bitten. One of them also bit my left upper thigh through my heavy blue jeans and that bite also started to swell.
The first time I had a reaction to a Deer Fly bite was August 1, 2012 on Antelope Island State Park. That time the bite was near my jaw and it caused me to swell from my jaw to my collarbone. Last year in July my right hand was bitten and it looked pretty much like the photo I took of my left hand yesterday. I’ve always had strong reactions to insect bites and stings and I have tons of experience in dealing with the reactions I get. I do everything I have been told to do by doctors including ice, washing the bites, and taking Benadryl. The bites hurt, swell, and eventually all the symptoms go away.
This morning I can tell that the swelling from the bites I got yesterday has stopped and I am feeling less groggy than I did yesterday because I got a good night of sleep and don’t have any Benadryl on board right now. I’ll also watch carefully for any signs of cellulitis or infection for the next couple of days.
I’ll be staying away from the location where I got bit when the Deer Flies are active from now on. Lesson learned. Short of wearing a Haz-Mat suit I know that spot isn’t safe for me. Besides, I can find other photography locations where I won’t get bit by Deer Flies.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Red-tailed Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
So sorry, but your photo is adorable. Four nestlings is a lot to keep fed!
I am shocked you were bitten through your jeans! I was going to suggest you wear fingerless compression gloves for protection. I don’t know if the flies can bite through those. I have been wearing them while out shooting, but I use them to keep the sun off my skin. I haven’t had a fly bite through yet.
Ouch. I react in similar fashion to ants and bees. And to a lesser extent to ‘squitoes.
Thank you for these hard won photos. A big and emphatic thank you.
The photo of the baby hawks all grouped together is splendid. They have nearly identical plumage color and patterns. Deer flies can be vicious here. I don’t react badly but they do sting. True to their name they seem to be especially numerous when deer are around. I wonder if they bite the hawks or eaglets.
You know that your audience will be satisfied with photos from your archives rather than you getting that horrible bite.
Mosquitoes and fleas are my villains. That’s a horrible reaction you’ve got right now. Benedryl and anti-histamine creams are my sources of relief after a bite swells up. May you get over this quickly.
Photos are extraordinary, thanks, but DO take care of yourself.
What a trooper you are! Thank you for persevering and getting that wonderful shot of the 4 Red-tailed Hawk chicks. Take care & stay safe.
Wasps do that to me but nothing else. If deer flies did, I would have to stay indoors as they are numerous right now. Take care.
WOW stay SAFE!
also, those hawklings look hangry!
thank you for some great photos — hope the swelling is all gone by now.
I’m sorry to see anyone so badly affected but as a fellow suffered I can certainly empathize. It looks weird but covid has taught many of us that looking weird is far less important than staying safe so I have resorted to the UTW mesh walking pod when away from the car, with allergy pills ingested ahead of time, icaridine lotion on any exposed skin and permethrin infused clothing and, always, high dose cortisone cream in the car in case of the worst and Aleve. I enjoyed the photos but would gladly trade them for hearing that you had not had to endure this. 💌
So sorry that you have to be miserable. Beautiful pictures! Please take care. You are an important voice for rational thought and wilderness.
Looks painful. Your message today is an important one. Thank you.
Mia, please be careful out there. With a reaction like that, I feel you could pass out if more than one or two bit you. Great photographers are hard to find! I consider you one of them😐
Ian, you are so right. I hated to mention it but . . . Her throat could have swollen closed so she couldn’t breathe, her eyes could have swollen shut (as happened to me) so she couldn’t drive home . . . Mia, please, please take better care of yourself, stay home, or at least always let others know where you are going or better yet take a pal, and always take an epi pen type device with you, just in case. We would indeed miss you if the buggies got you.
Oow! Ouch! I get the same kind of reaction to ant bites and bees that have me swollen up for days and running for the Benedryl. So sorry and thank you for the personal sacrifice!