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Swainson's Hawk.


Swainson's Hawk.
Photo Information
Copyright: Luis Leal (Luis52) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1175 W: 8 N: 4240] (15809)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2011-08-13
Categories: Birds
Camera: Nikon D700, Nikon 70-200 f/2.8 IF-ED VR+TC1.7EII
Exposure: f/5.6, 1/1000 seconds
Photo Version: Original Version
Date Submitted: 2011-08-22 8:25
Viewed: 4503
Points: 32
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni),

The Swainson's Hawk is a slender raptor, slightly smaller than a Red-tailed Hawk (B. jamaicensis). However, the Swainson's Hawk has a slightly longer wingspan and slimmer wings than other soaring hawks. In flight, it holds its wings in a slight dihedral; it tips back and forth slightly while soaring.

There are two main color variations. Over 90 percent of individuals are light-morph; the dark morph is most common in the far west of the range:

Light-morph adults are white on the underparts with a dark, reddish "bib" on the chest and a noticeable white throat and face patch. The underwings, seen as the bird soars, have dark linings (leading edge) and pale flight feathers (trailing edge), a pattern unique among North American raptors. The tail is gray-brown with about six narrow dark bands and one wider subterminal band. The upperparts are brown. Juveniles are similar but dark areas have pale mottling and light areas, especially the flanks, have dark mottling. The chest is pale with some darker marks. The subterminal band of the tail is less obvious. Birds in their first spring may have pale heads because of feather wear.
Dark-morph birds are dark brown except for a light patch under the tail. There is a rufous variant that is lighter on the underparts with reddish bars. The tails of both these forms resemble those of the light morph.

Photo taken in the Birds Museum and soon its going to be able to fly again.

Saludos
Luis52.
marius-secan, tuslaw, sway, Pitoncle, PaulLees, kapildk, jaycee, Miss_Piggy has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PeterZ Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
  • [2011-08-22 9:20]

Hello Luis,
Excellent portrait of this Swainson's Hawk with a sharp focus on the head. Beautiful light and colours, also in the nice contrasting BG. Pleasing eye contact.
Regards,
Peter

hello Luis
Very good sharpness picture with great details and super good light
Thanks greeting lou

Hello Luis,
A very nice portrait a splendid bird of prey.
Excellent details, colors and focus.
Marius.

  • Great 
  • ana974 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 477 W: 48 N: 968] (4857)
  • [2011-08-22 11:32]

Hello dear Luis!
An outstanding portrait of this wonderful and majestic bird! The POV is superbe! I love also the elegant BG.NIce contact eyes ! A big BRAVO to you! And thanks for sharing with us this wonder.
Nice week!
aNa

Another impressive bird portrait Luis! Excellent composition, fantastic colours and very good sharpness.
Regards,
Christodoulos

Ciao Luis, fantastic portrait of beautiful hawk, fine details. lovely blurry BG, perfect focus on eye, splendid sharpness and wonderful natural colors, very well done my friend, ciao Silvio

  • Great 
  • lousat Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 6595 W: 89 N: 15659] (65489)
  • [2011-08-22 15:58]

Hi Luis,fantastic portrait,the pic no need comment,it's a great pleasure for my eyes and a top quality work talking about sharpness and colors.Have a nice day and thanks,Luciano

Hola Luis,
Hermoso retrato y con luz y nitidez soberbias.
Gracias por compartir,
Saludos
Jesús

  • Great 
  • tuslaw Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2754 W: 282 N: 4931] (19883)
  • [2011-08-22 19:01]

Hello Luis,
A wonderful portrait shot showing the fine facial features of this majestic bird. It's encouraging to know that he will soon be soaring the skies once again.
Excellent detail and beautiful natural colors. Great job!!
Ron

  • Great 
  • sway Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 305 W: 85 N: 319] (1276)
  • [2011-08-23 2:57]

I love his menacing stare. Great shot. Love the over the shoulder shot

Bonjour Luis,
Très beau portrait très finement détaillé et délicatement coloré.
A bientôt sur TN pour de nouvelles aventures.
Gérard

Hi Luis, awesome portrait of this Swainson,s Hawk, impressive macro skills shown here with great effect, superb quality with sharp details, exceptional lighting to support these lovely saturated colours, great work here Luis and very well done,
Best regards,

Pauly.

Hi Luis,

Great potrait with good eye contact & fine details.
Well done & TFS.
Kapil

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2011-08-25 9:43]

Hola Primo,

Your Bird Museum must be fantastic! What a great opportunity to get terrific shots of raptors A magnificent close-up of this beautiful Hawk. I love the eye with the yellow ring, the beak and the colors and shadings of the feathers. We have no shortage of hawks here but I still find it difficult to distinguish one from the other.

Jane

Hello Luis,
What a beautiful image. Very well done indeed. Best wishes.
Neels

Hallo Luis
What a super, duper portrait. All the details in this Swainson's Hawk's face is beautifully captured and is seen with great clarity. I especially like the eyebrows and the brown colour of the eye. The different colours in the feathers is beautiful, especially the ones on top of its head. Thanks for sharing. Best regards.
Anna

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