A Flight of Swallows

Also called a “gulp of swallows,” but probably only by Peregrine Falcons.

Katherine and I recently spent a few days in Montana with our friends, Carmel and Sharon. They took us one morning to a friend’s ranch, where we were able to see several different kinds of birds, including beautiful Tree and Violet-green Swallows.

Tree Swallow shooting out of bird house. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 A022, handheld, 1/4000 sec., f/7.1, ISO 5000. Trout Creek, Montana.
Tree Swallow in flight. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 A022, handheld, 1/4000 sec., f/7.1, ISO 5000. Trout Creek, Michigan.
Tree Swallow with a beakful of bugs. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 A022, handheld, 1/4000 sec. f/7.1, ISO 3200. Trout Creek, Montana.

In the right light — and this was beautiful morning light — the colors on a Violet-green Swallow are almost unbelievable. This bird looks like it is wearing a green felt bolero.

Violet-green Swallow vocalizing. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 A022, handheld, 1/4000 sec., f/7.1, ISO 4000. Trout Creek, Montana.

As a bonus, we also were able to see — across the field — a White-tailed Deer and its baby. Sharon and Carmel speculated that the baby may have only been a day or so old.

The fun didn’t end at the ranch.

Carmel and Sharon took us out on a boat on Noxon Reservoir. We hoped to see Osprey and Bald Eagles. We did, but the Swallows had drama going on.

The Barn Swallows had built their nests underneath a bridge that Sharon patiently steered us under again and again as we (the royal “we,” I’m afraid) tried to get pictures.

Barn Swallow with nesting material. Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 A022, handheld, 1/4000 sec., f/6.3, ISO 12800. Noxon Reservoir, Trout Creek, Montana.

Once past the bridge, we found a steepish, sparsely covered bank where the Barn Swallows collected twigs and mud for their nests.

Above the Barn Swallows, Rough-winged Swallows were nesting in holes in the bank. One hole in particular had almost constant traffic going in and out as one Swallow stood guard outside.

Oh, and I mentioned drama, didn’t I?

We saw two Northern Rough-winged Swallows tangled up as they rolled down the bank together.

“They’re having sex.”

“They’re fighting.”

“Maybe it’s kind of both?”

Does a person’s view of such an event bear any reflection on their character?

Asking for a friend.

Now, Gentle Reader, you decide. Sex, fighting or both?

Northern Rough-winged Swallows “interacting.” Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 A022, handheld, 1/4000 sec., f/6.3, ISO 10000. Noxon Reservoir, Trout Creek, Montana.
Northern Rough-winged Swallows “interacting.” Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 A022, handheld, 1/4000 sec., f/7.1, ISO 10000. Noxon Reservoir, Trout Creek, Montana.
Northern Rough-winged Swallows “interacting.” Canon EOS 5D Mark IV with TAMRON SP 150-600mm F/5-6.3 Di VC USD G2 A022, handheld, 1/4000 sec., f/7.1, ISO 10000. Noxon Reservoir, Trout Creek, Montana.

I think this last photo is pretty definitive…unless you’re in the “both” camp.

From the beauty of the Tree and Violet-green Swallows to the frantic activity of the Barn and Northern Rough-winged Swallows, it was a great day for Swallow watching.

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