Yesterday morning I was able to take Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawk lift off photos where both of the raptors still had their feet on their perches.
Ferruginous and Rough-legged Hawks are the only buteos in North America that have feathered legs down to their feet.
Ferruginous Hawk lifting off
First winter Ferruginous Hawk lifting off with its feet still on the pole – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 640, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
This light morph, first winter Ferruginous Hawk was perched on a power pole when I first spotted it.
Because this is an immature, light morph Ferruginous Hawk its feathered tarsi, or legs, aren’t as visible as they would have been if this young hawk had been an adult. The feathered legs of adult Ferruginous Hawks are darker and rustier. This first winter Ferruginous Hawk only shows a smidgen of that rusty color on its legs even though its feathered legs are clearly visible.
Ferruginous Hawks are year round residents in northern Utah. I feel fortunate to have seen and photographed them every month of the year.
Rough-legged Hawk lifting off
Adult male Rough-legged Hawk lifting off with its feet still on a rock – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 640, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Earlier in the morning I photographed an adult male, light morph Rough-legged Hawk. He was in nearly the same pose as the young Ferruginous Hawk when he was taking off. Both of the raptors had their wings lifted over their bodies with their feet still planted firmly on their perches.
The dark feathered legs of this male Rough-legged Hawk stand out nicely from the blue sky in the background. I have seen adult male Rough-legged Hawks with lighter colored feathers on their legs.
Rough-legged Hawks are winter visitors to northern Utah. They will be leaving soon for their breeding grounds on the Arctic tundra and taiga.
Taking photos of hawks at the precise moment they lift their wings above their bodies and start to lift off while their feet are still on their perch is still a thrill for me even after all the years I have had them in my viewfinder. Doing it twice in one day? That’s an even bigger thrill.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Ferruginous Hawk photos plus facts and information about that species. Click here to view more of my Rough-legged Hawk photos plus facts and information about that species.
Beautiful birds! I wish I saw more furrgies!
Ferrgies! Can’t type yet this morning. My fingers have their own schedule of movement today!
That was supposed to be Is the Hawk. Sorry. Deena
Dear Mia;
I the Hawk in the first picture Lucistic? I am not sure about light morphs and lucistic.
Hi Deena, the immature Ferruginous Hawk isn’t leucistic. Light morph immature Ferruginous Hawks are extremely pale from underneath and that helps to differentiate them from light morph adults too along with the lack of the rufous legs and markings on the chest and belly. This young hawk had normal coloration for this species from above and below.
Beautiful photos. Thanks for sharing!!
Wing fling! 😀 My favorite bird pose!
Up, up and away…such marvelous images! Your timing was perfect. Thanks Mia.
Stunning – and I do love those feathery legs.
Great shots!
Beautiful snd informative