ML28303761

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

While observing a steady kettle of TUVU, Osprey & occ. RTHA one SWHA entered the drafty thermal. Of course after the initial Whoa aspect thats a Swainson's hawk, I noticed it looked to be tailing CLSW but after keeping an eye on this bird it looked to be joining the feast of aerial bug stew that whirled in the breeze catching large insects w/ erratic twists and dives, dropping at times like a rock showing off the long sharp wings and distinct M shaped silhouette. Appeared to be a Immature intermediate/dark morph, long narrow sharp machete like wings, distinct dark remiges w/ underwing coverts lightly contrasting, buoyant flight teetering harrier like at times, occasional drooped like Osprey, slight to strong dihedral, flight/hunting style almost kite like, long tail with multiple thin bands up tail w/ a standout darker thicker sub/terminal band, heavy rufous/darker streaking somewhat blending on body, light undertail coverts, pale chin and head overall. I/we are very familiar with the Swainson's hawk having had a pair nest in the Carigana/wind rows in the backyard of mixed habitat/short-grass prairie of the Northern Rocky mtn. region and loads of other good encounters monitoring nests etc.. Observed for 30-35 minutes~ Shot a short video clip wont load. few pics

Technical information

Model

COOLPIX P510

ISO

100

Focal length

360 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire, auto

f-stop

f/5.9

Shutter speed

1/1250 sec

Dimensions

4608 pixels x 3456 pixels

Original file size

4.9 MB