This morning I am sharing photos of an immature Rough-legged Hawk, its staring prey, of the bird feaking and a bonus image that shows the tongue of the hawk. There is also a bonus image at the bottom of the post. These images were taken exactly five years ago today.
Light morph immature Rough-legged Hawk landing with prey – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light, not baited
This first photo shows the young Rough-legged Hawk landing on a kestrel nest box that was installed at Farmington Bay WMA many years ago. To the right of the talons touching the top of the nest box just the tip of the tail of the prey is visible. I really liked this landing pose and the look of concentration on the immature raptor’s face.
Immature Rough-legged Hawk looking at a staring vole – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light, not baited
This second image shows that the hawk had moved to the top of the nest box and the vole is still grasped tightly in the talons of the bird. At this point in time the vole was still alive and staring out over the marsh.
I took a very long series of the Rough-legged Hawk consuming the vole and I still haven’t edited any of those images. Maybe I will get around to that one day and share those photos here too.
Immature Rough-legged Hawk feaking – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light, not baited
This last image of the light morph immature Rough-legged Hawk shows the raptor feaking, which essentially means it is cleaning its bill on an object. I almost scrolled right past this photo in my archives to do this post but I caught sight of the tongue of this hawk.
Immature Rough-legged Hawk feaking with inset showing the tongue – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light, not baited
I decided to share this same image with a large inset showing the pink tongue of the young Rough-legged Hawk as a bonus for this post. It isn’t often that I see the tongue of this species and I was excited to view it so clearly in the high resolution version of this photo.
I’m hoping to get some time back out in the field after the snowstorms that have come back to back to back to my neck of the woods. We need the snow so I am not complaining but I do need some time in nature soon to soothe and revitalize me.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Rough-legged Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
Very interesting set of pics. The detail is incredible and the inset is fascinating. Thanks Mia.
WOW – first time seeing a hawk’s tongue!
Another great post Mia. I really like the spread-wing landing shot! I’m curious about the nestbox. Is that a Kestrel box?
Larry, it is a kestrel nest box that has been there for a long time. The nest box has helped to produce lots of kestrel chicks!
Wow – GREAT captures, Mia!! These few images really show a compelling story! Thanks for the bonus close-up too! Stunning!
The poor little vole! What a great image of the tongue. Wow! I sure hope you keep getting snow (in spurts only so you can get out into the field) as you need the snow so much after the summer you had.