Rough-legged Hawk portrait on a frigid January morning, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahRough-legged Hawk portrait on a frigid January morning – Nikon D500, f8, 1/1000, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

The first bird I photographed in 2021 was this adult male Rough-legged Hawk perched above the wetlands at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. I feel that I should clarify and say that it was the first bird I photographed with my bird photography gear because earlier in the month I had photographed and videoed European Starlings from my living room window using my cell phone. Being factual when I write the stories behind my images is very important to me.

I came upon the Rough-legged Hawk just as I arrived at the auto tour route. I saw many more birds at the refuge that morning and took hundreds of photos. On the way out of the auto tour loop I photographed what was probably the same Rough-legged Hawk before I headed east to I-15.

Sadly the structure that this Rough-legged Hawk was perched on that frigid January morning is no longer there. I was at the refuge one morning in September and saw that the structure was being removed. I don’t know why, it didn’t seem to pose a threat to anyone or any living thing. I just know that now the Rough-legged Hawks don’t have it to perch on while they scan the area for prey.

This past week or so I have been thinking about the photos I have taken this past year, about the birds I have found and taken images of, the journeys I have taken, and about the birds I have missed taking images of for one reason or another. The end of the year is in my face and that always seems to make me reflect on what I was happy with and what could have been better over the past year. I skip the tradition of making New Year’s resolutions however I do think about setting goals and making changes. There is always room to grow, to learn, and become better at what I do.

Life is good.

Mia

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