I decided to go for a drive out to Market Lake, but the duck season opened yesterday and there were more hunters than birds. West of Market Lake and the freeway, I found a newly baled hay field with 19 hawks in it. Swainson's, kestrels, Ferruginous and the Red-tails that have started moving down out of the mountains were all killing gophers and mice.
I watched as a pair of Swainson's were trying to teach two immatures how to harvest gophers. Here one of the adults carries a gopher out in the field to drop it.
The other adult yells at the youngster (and me) to get going.
Both parents chase after the Red-tails that were trying to get it, but eventually the immature Swainson's gets it before one of the Red-tails comes back to the post.
Then the parents try to chase the other youngster off its perch to try to get it hunting, but like a lot of stubborn children, it is easier for mom and dad to provide.
Just another wild day in Idaho. I make it back home by 10a.m. for the Conference broadcast.
