On Monday May 2, 2011 I was driving out to
Gunlock and decided to stop and photograph some of the cliff
swallow nests (about mile after leaving the Shivwits Reservation).
Cliff
Swallow Nests
As I was watching the
hundreds of swallows I noticed a Red-tailed hawk flying
straight for the cliffs. I thought to myself, "That Red-tail
is going to run smack into those cliffs!" Much to my relief,
it put on the breaks just in time and landed on an amazing
nest built right over a sandstone cliff ledge.
A few Hundred yards back up the road I found a spot to easily
climb up and take a few pictures from above.
I tried staying hidden behind the cliffs so as to not bother the
birds and took a quick picture of the 2 chicks.
After a few minutes the mom noticed me and quickly let me know
that 100 yards away was still too close for comfort.
I made my way back down to the road to leave
the little family in peace.
