Swainson's Hawk

Way back, on 22 May 2016, my daughter and I spent a great day together, as a slightly early treat for my birthday : ) Always my favourite way to spend a day!

We weren't quite sure what we would be doing, as it depended on how my daughter was feeling - so much pain. We did know for sure that we were going straight to the Saskatoon Farm for a delicious meal, though. We took a look inside two of their greenhouses, full of colourful flowers. Not a day for walking outside, as it poured with rain the whole day.

After the Saskatoon Farm, we went westwards into Okotoks, so that we could visit the little rustic antique place, All through the House. From there, we drove various back roads, looking for any birds that might not be hiding from the cold and rain. I was so happy that we saw a couple of Snipe standing on fence posts, as they make such beautiful photos. We even saw several hawks, including this beautiful Swainson's Hawk - more than I usually see when I go for a drive.

"A classic species of the open country of the Great Plains and the West, Swainson’s Hawks soar on narrow wings or perch on fence posts and irrigation spouts. These elegant gray, white, and brown hawks hunt rodents in flight, wings held in a shallow V, or even run after insects on the ground. In fall, they take off for Argentine wintering grounds—one of the longest migrations of any American raptor—forming flocks of hundreds or thousands as they travel." From AllAboutBirds.

www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Swainsons_Hawk/id

Thanks so much, Rachel, for a much-enjoyed day and thank you for the (as always) carefully chosen gifts and cards. Most of all, thank you for spending the day with me!