Here is another from today's visit by our resident, female, Swainson's Hawk. Last August, when we first visited the Sierra Vista area, I pined to see this majestic hawk. The week went by and still no sighting. On our last day, as we drove down Highway 92, the main road through the area, we spied a Swainson's high up on a light pole of a cross street. Typically I would have just turned down the street to see it, but I was already halfway through the intersection. Undaunted, I quickly slammed the wheel right sending my new bride, and our two birding friends, flying. The maneuver also sent the Hawk flying as well. With my passengers questioning if I had lost my mind, I began the chase and finally got a good look and a poor photo when it landed on another light pole. I could not have been more excited. My wife and friends could not have been more shook up - but they know me and would expect nothing less. We laugh about it today.

We moved to the area three months later, not because of the Hawk, but it and the other birds were a major contributing factor. To have this buteo making regular visits to our home is a blessing of eternal proportion. We made the right move.
Shoot Date: June 23, 2018
Canon EOS 5D Mark IV
Shutter priority ¹⁄₂₀₀₀ sec at f/6.3 ‒ ⅓ EV
Lens: TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD A011 @ 600 mm
ISO: 500