Sunday, April 18, 2010

Swainson's Hawk Photos & California Quail

I took two of my girls on a Sunday evening walk at Avimor's Foothills Heritage Park and I took the camera along for some photography practice.  The Swainson's Hawks have been busy building their nest and fighting with the Kestrels who are nesting in the nearby box we put up last fall.  I captured a couple images of the Swainson's Hawks that I really liked with the golden evening Sun.  I even got that much-sought-after eye glint a couple of times.  One open mouth shot of what I believe is the dark-capped male next to the large dark female.  Interesting plumage variation between the two also.


I also found a rooster California Quail acting as crossing guard on Avimor's greenbelt trail along Spring Valley Creek.  We love the Quail at our home!  In the background you can see part of our practically standard issue Mormon-family minivan.

6 comments:

  1. Beautiful pictures. I love the Swaison's hawks. They just showed up here this week.

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  2. The evening light on the hawk is beautiful and the quail are very cute as they walk over in line.

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  3. Nice captures of those hawks, especially that catch light you spoke of. Glad to see you're out there practicing. What great opportunities you have in your backyard. I'm looking forward to my next visit to Avimor. Blessings, Kathleen

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  4. ...love the Swainson's Hawks. I haven't seen one...yet! Can't wait to run into one some day. I would love to see quail milling around. We used to get Bobwhites, but no more. What a cute sight seeing them crossing the trail!

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  5. Saw my first Swainson's here last week. How nice to have them so close to you! Love the quail. There will be babies soon! Then the fun really begins!

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  6. We have two nesting Swainson's Hawks in our Southeast Boise neighborhood. I have been taking photos since mid April and started a blog for the neighbors to check in on the hawk activities over time and learn more about their characteristics and behavior.

    http://swainsonshawkwatch.blogspot.com/

    Please feel free to check in on the blog and make comments.

    Gary Grimm

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