Alert Rough-legged Hawk male perched on a fence post – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Yesterday morning was clear, bright, chilly, and I spent ten minutes photographing an adult male Rough-legged Hawk that I found in the West Desert. The male Rough-legged Hawk was perched on a juniper fence post with foothills behind it that had some snow on them. By using the elevated perch the hawk scanned the grassy slopes for prey. In this photo I believe the hawk may have spotted prey off in the distance.
Adult male Rough-legged Hawk lifting off from a fence post – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
A few frames later the male Rough-legged Hawk lifted off from the wooden fence post, turned to the north, and kited over over the grassy foothills. I did not see it catch prey.
I have other photos of this Rough-legged Hawk on this fence post that I plan to share sometime in the future but this lift off photo was one of my favorites from yesterday. I almost clipped the tip of his right wing in this frame.
Male Rough-legged Hawk on top of a large boulder – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Later in the morning I spotted the Rough-legged Hawk again but he lifted off and landed on a huge boulder to the south. The light angle I had wasn’t quite as optimal as I had had earlier in the morning although I still liked the photos I took of him.
The day before I found this hawk I had photographed another male at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. I was disappointed with those images because they were soft due to heat wave distortion. Yesterday there was enough of a breeze on the foothills that all of my photos of this male Roughie were sharp.
Our Rough-legged Hawks will be migrating soon. I’m delighted that I found this male in the West Desert yesterday. Will he be the last one I photograph this season? I hope not.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Rough-legged Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
Beautiful shots, love em!!
In a word…WOW! The 2nd shot is a showstopper…but they are all terrific. Thanks Mia.
I really like the step-off pose in the second shot. What a beautiful Roughie!
Loved seeing his stripy pantaloons in the take-off shot!
Beautiful! I am reading your blog as I wait for my 30 min. After my vaccination. It was emotional for me!
Lucky you. Lucky us.
And thank you. Again.
Great shots as usual Mia, but I have a doubt can you tell me please what is the blue color that is close to the bird’s tail in the second photo?
Thank you.
Thanks, Jorge. I think you are talking about the shadow of the body of the hawk on its tail? The shadow does have a slight blue cast?
Yes. Now that you mention it I can see that it is the shadow of the hawk’s body that causes that effect.
Interestingly now when looking again the blue color seems less intense.
Thank you for the explanation. I should have looked more carefully.