Adult male Rough-legged Hawk with snowy mountains in the background – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/4000, ISO 640, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Earlier this week I photographed a light morph, adult male Rough-legged Hawk in the West Desert of Utah with three different backgrounds. The first two photos show the Rough-legged Hawk perched on a large rock with snow covered mountains in the background. This first image shows a tiny bit of the blue sky in the upper right hand corner of the frame.
Male Rough-legged Hawk with snow covered mountains in the background – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/4000, ISO 640, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
This second photo was taken from a second location on the road with the snow covered mountains in the background. The shadows on the crevices of the snowy mountains are different because of the change in where I was positioned next to the road.
Both of these photos have visual interest in the background because of the snow covered peaks of the mountains. The Rough-legged Hawk stands out well in the two images and to my eye they are visually appealing in part because of the unique backgrounds.
Both of these photos would make me wonder what is in the background and where were the images taken if I hadn’t created them myself and if I didn’t already know exactly where this hawk was photograhed.
Adult male Rough-legged Hawk with a plain blue sky background – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 640, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
The last photo has far less visual appeal to me with nothing but a blue sky in the background. I also don’t think I’d wonder where it was taken because it does not stimulate that kind of thought process in me when I view the photo.
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
A few days ago I shared an image of this same Rough-legged Hawk lifting off from this pile of rocks that had this plain blue sky. I’m sharing that photo again to make a comparison.
I love the pose of this hawk but the background? It does not excite or appeal to me.
Winter Ferruginous Hawk perched on rocks – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/6400, ISO 800, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Three winters ago I photographed a light morph Ferruginous Hawk on this same pile of rocks. This hawk was perched on a rock that was just a few feet away from where the male Rough-legged Hawk was perched this week. You can see the rock the Ferruginous was perched on in the second photo I shared in this post.
Winter Ferruginous Hawk right after lifting off – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/6400, ISO 800, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
When the Ferruginous Hawk lifted off I had the snow covered mountains on the background which in my opinion created a stronger and more visually appealing image than the one of the Rough-legged Hawk lifting off from the same pile of rocks with a plain blue sky.
The rock the Rough-legged Hawk lifted off from five days ago can be seen here at the far right side of this photo.
Personal tastes vary greatly when it comes to backgrounds and composition in photos. Your opinion may vary wildly from mine but I know that I prefer the snow covered mountains in the backgrounds of these images to the ones with the plain blue sky.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Rough-legged Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species. Click here to see more of my Ferruginous Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
Every pic is terrific. I agree with your other contributors…that last shot is a real showstopper. Thanks Mia.
That last shot is a real keeper. Absolutely great. The position of the bird, WOW. Beautiful background. Wonderful shot. Should be entered in a contest somewhere.
You are right.
That said I do love the ‘wing fling’ against the boring blue sky.
That last shot is just stellar! I’m probably of the “blurry background is better” school of thought also… but I love the happiness of blue skies. Looks like you’ve found a great resting spot for a variety of birds on those rocks! (Side comment: you mentioned the absence of Like button on my blog, but I don’t see it on yours either. Technology is definitely a puzzle!)
All Beautiful photos! I love the pose of the bird with the blue sky!
Agreed re background. Plain blue sky doesn’t add much to the whole. Whereas the snow covered mountains? Wow!
Especially like the last shot. Thanks!
That last image is extraordinary. We almost never see these birds down here in Arizona.