For the past few weeks Terry and I have been watching
a pair of magnificent Swainson's hawks.
Aerial Dancers Off Our Deck
Aurora, Colorado,USA
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
and they aren't the least bit intimidated by Terry and Me.
A favorite Perch on the Peak of Our Deck Roof
The Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni), is a large Buteo hawk of the Falconiformes.
Aurora, Colorado, USA
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Hanging Out on Our Deck
It couldn't care less that I'm snapping photos nearby!
Aurora, Colorado, USA
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
These beautiful raptors are found in the open spaces
of the prairies and dry grasslands of the American west.
They hunt rodents in flight and sometimes chase after insects on the ground.
They especially like locusts and grasshoppers.
Hunting in the Grass
The Swainson's Hawk (Buteo swainsoni), is a large Buteo hawk of the Falconiformes.
Aurora, Colorado, USA
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
Swainson's hawks are similar in size and in habitat to the Red-tailed hawk.
Their white underbellies and white wing linings contrast
with their black flight feathers, helping to identify them.
Swainson's Hawk in Flight © M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue All Rights Reserved
These hawks like to perch on fence posts, utility poles, and lone trees,
but these two are fond of our decks and roofs.
They can survey two golf holes and all the natural rough surrounding them
from our neighbor's and our roofs and decks.
Perching on Our Neighbor's Deck
The reddish tinge is caused by the way the light is striking the red deck.
Aurora, Colorado, USA
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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This one lands the most on our home.
The Hawk as Seen from Our Bedroom
Aurora, Colorado, USA
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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Powerful Talons
Aurora, Colorado, USA
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
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The Swainson's hawk winters in Argentina in South America
and have one of the longest migration routes of any American raptor.
All too soon our unexpected guests will be heading south.
It will be quieter and less exciting when they leave!
Hawks High Over Our Deck
Aurora, Colorado, USA
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
A Joy to See!
Aurora, Colorado, USA
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
© M. Louise (MacBeath) Barbour/Fundy Blue
All Rights Reserved
please let me know!!!