Swainson's Hawk

There's definitely a reason most photographers prefer to shoot in the hour near sunrise and sunset.  The soft, warm lighting near sunrise just can't be beat.  On this day, I was near Lake Thompson when I came across this gorgeous and very cooperative Swainson's Hawk.  He'd obviously fed quite recently, as evidenced by the dried blood on his talons.  He was practically defiant in his refusal to budge in my presence, an attitude that I think came off extremely well in this photograph.  Definitely one of my favorite raptor shots that I've been able to get.

Photo taken on May 3rd, 2005, near Lake Thompson in Kingsbury County, South Dakota.