SWAINSON’S HAWKS IN YYC
2003 – 2024
A summary of our local Swainson’s hawks by year.
Click the year for stories, photos, videos and more.
FIRST SIGHTING – August 2003 (date unknown)
Very first encounter with Swainson’s Hawks
NUMBER OF BABIES – 1 confirmed
Nikon EM SLR film camera
FIRST SIGHTING – August 2004 (date unknown)
Our second encounter with Swainson’s Hawks
NUMBER OF BABIES – 2 confirmed
Nikon EM SLR film camera
FIRST SIGHTING – August 31, 2017
13 years later…
I am about to embark on a years-long obsession with these birds
NUMBER OF BABIES – 2 confirmed
Canon PowerShot SX240 HS
iPhone 6s
FIRST SIGHTING – August 7, 2018
The addition of the Sigma telephoto lens to my camera gear = Game. Changed.
NUMBER OF BABIES – 2 confirmed
Canon T2i + Canon EF-S 55-250mm
Canon T2i + Sigma Contemporary 150-600mm
FIRST SIGHTING – August 4, 2019
Year 3 of our observations of this family – 1st year seeing 3 young ones.
NUMBER OF BABIES – 3 confirmed
Canon T2i + Sigma Contemporary 150-600mm
FIRST SIGHTING – July 26, 2020 (in the nest tree)
The year the Earth stood still. Some of the most meaningful photos I have ever taken.
NUMBER OF BABIES – 3 confirmed
Canon T2i + Sigma Contemporary 150-600mm
FIRST SIGHTING – August 6, 2021
Yet more memorable moments every time I venture out to watch the hawks.
NUMBER OF BABIES – 3 confirmed
Canon T2i + Sigma Contemporary 150-600mm
FIRST SIGHTING – August 7, 2022
Despite their killer instinct, these birds of prey can be amusing to watch too.
NUMBER OF BABIES – 3 confirmed
Canon T2i + Sigma Contemporary 150-600mm
FIRST SIGHTING – August 10, 2023
20 years. New camera. New papa in the ‘hood.
NUMBER OF BABIES – 2 confirmed (in my heart of hearts I believe it to be more)
Canon T2i + Sigma Contemporary 150-600mm
Canon 90D + Sigma Contemporary 150-600mm
FIRST SIGHTING – TBD
2024 is a work in progress
NUMBER OF BABIES – TBD
Canon 90D + Sigma Contemporary 150-600mm
(probably)