Gyrfalcon Spreading Wings

If it weren't for the wonderful raptors you can find around the Fort Pierre National Grasslands, winter birding would be one heck of a lot less fun.  As it is, there are nearly always very good numbers of raptors around in the winter, and topping the list of "must sees" for most birders is the Gyrfalcon.   On this day, I found this very cooperative juvenile, who even so kind as to provide a wonderful wingspread pose.  Always a thrill just to find and see one of these guys, and getting a very nice photo is just icing on the cake.

Photo taken on February 16th, 2004 on the Fort Pierre National Grasslands in South Dakota.