ML433651401

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

2 seen at same time maybe 3. Carefully watched over and escorted by two adult RTHA. Relatively long 4 to 5 minute study in backlit light, eventually we got dorsal side lit views. They soared close to highest hill on YBI with RT's saying close but above them. No strong aggression from RTs noticed. Description: Large Buteos, slender long wings with a pushed forward look (primaries), more pointy than RTs. Dark flight feathers, light underwing coverts, no patagial. Believe they were all light morph but strong back light. Retrices lightly barred with subterminal band, pinched look at the base, dorsal side of tail was light gray, lighter near base. One appeared to be second year bird molting barring on breast. Flight style significantly different from RTs and typical for Swainson's in my experience: relatively little flapping, primarily gliding in a harrier like way. Uploading some very backlit photos that show silhouette OK but little feather detail. Photos are all +3 stops and cropped., one with some exposure controls which doesn't seem to help much

Technical information

Model

NIKON D850

Lens

200.0-500.0 mm f/5.6

ISO

400

Focal length

500 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/8.0

Shutter speed

1/500 sec

Dimensions

1992 pixels x 1620 pixels

Original file size

550.92 KB