Rough-legged Hawk perched on a postPerched Rough-legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus) – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or set up

After two winters with very few Rough-legged Hawk photographing opportunities the tide has turned and I’m seeing Rough-legged Hawks in a lot of places and I have had quite a few chances to photograph these handsome raptors. Rough-legged Hawks breed in the high Arctic and because they do they are not used to human presence and are a challenge to approach… most of the time. Last week though I had the opportunity to photograph a very cooperative Rough-legged Hawk preening.

I’m not sure the bird above is the same bird in the following images but both were in the same general location.

Normally I like to post an image then some text content, but in this case I’ll just post the images and their techs. Rough-legged Hawks are beautiful and as you will see in these images; they can even look quite comical.

Yawning Rough-legged HawkYawning Rough-legged Hawk – Nikon D300, f9, 1/1600, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or set up

Rough-legged Hawk side viewSide view of a Rough-legged Hawk –  Nikon D300, f9, 1/1000, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 300mm, natural light, not baited or set up

Backward look from the Rough-legged HawkBackward look from the Rough-legged Hawk – Nikon D300, f9, 1/1000, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or set up

Regal looking Rough-legged HawkRegal looking Rough-legged Hawk – Nikon D300, f9, 1/800, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or set up

The Funky Chicken Pose - Rough-legged HawkThe Funky Chicken Pose – Rough-legged Hawk – Nikon D300, f9, 1/1000, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or set up

Rough-legged Hawk Looking PrettyRough-legged Hawk Looking Pretty – Nikon D300, f9, 1/640, +0.7 EV, 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or set up

Rough-legged Hawk - What are you looking at?Rough-legged Hawk – What are you looking at? – Nikon D300, f9, 1/640, +0.3 EV, Nikon 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or set up

Rough-legged preening with tip of tail in the billI’m so pretty… – Nikon D300, f8, 1/1000, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 360mm, natural light, not baited or set up

Rough-legged Hawk looking at its feetRough-legged Hawk looking at its feet – Nikon D300, f8, 1/640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light, not baited or set up

Rough-legged Hawk - This is my best side...This is my best side… – Nikon D300, f8, 1/640, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 360mm, natural light, not baited or set up

I hope these photos told a story, if they did they are probably better than I could have written.

Life is good.

Mia

To view more of my Rough-legged Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species click here.