I took a detour on the way home yesterday and drove around the hawk hot spots north of Denver International Airport and came across a couple of juvenile Swainson’s Hawks that were very cooperative. This one had just launched itself from the pole it was perched on and took off right over me. Lots of fun!
Scroll down below the main image for more pictures of the hawk and another that was nearby.


A juvenile Swainson's Hawk bows its head.

Juvenile Swainson's Hawk looks around.

Are you still here?

Juvenile Swainson's Hawk repositions itself on its perch.

Juvenile Swainson's Hawk repositions itself on its perch.

Juvenile Swainson's Hawk repositions itself on its perch.

Swainson's Hawk checks out the area.

Juvenile Swainson's Hawk launch sequence (1 of 3)

Juvenile Swainson's Hawk launch sequence (2 of 3)

Juvenile Swainson's Hawk launch sequence (3 of 3)

A juvenile Swainson's Hawk in its nest

Stare down: A juvenile Swainson's Hawk stares intently

Ruffled feathers: A juvenile Swainson's Hawk repositions itself on the nest

A juvenile Swainson's Hawk in its nest

A juvenile Swainson's Hawk screeches

A juvenile Swainson's Hawk in its nest

A juvenile Swainson's Hawk screeches

A juvenile Swainson's Hawk in its nest

Stare down: A juvenile Swainson's Hawk stares intently

A juvenile Swainson's Hawk in its nest

Stare down: A juvenile Swainson's Hawk stares intently

A juvenile Swainson's Hawk in its nest

Young Swainson's Hawk in the nest

Still around? A Swainson's Hawk checks to see if the photographer is still there

Swainson's Hawk landing sequence (1 of 3)

Swainson's Hawk landing sequence (3 of 3)

Swainson's Hawk landing sequence (2 of 3)
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