One year ago this morning I was on the road to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge where my best subject of the day was a male light morph Rough-legged Hawk. When I first drove up to the hawk I took a few photos where the distant snow covered mountains showed behind him.
Rough-legged Hawk on a cold January morning – Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/1600, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
The light was soft and gorgeous which gave the feathers of the Rough-legged Hawk a nice warm glow. This particular hawk is very confiding and cooperative and has been a favorite of mine for several years at the refuge.
I have only seen this hawk once this winter but that is only because the weather has been very uncooperative and cloudy so far this winter. The sun simply hasn’t been out much at all. We need the moisture but I truly would love to have a few bright winter days in a row. I am craving sunshine.
Male Rough-legged Hawk staredown – Nikon D500, f8, 1/500, ISO 250, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
When I moved my Jeep closer to the light morph Rough-legged Hawk I was able to take a wonderful series of portraits and close up photos of the overwintering arctic raptor.
I feel very connected to this Rough-legged Hawk because I have photographed him so often over the years. He may not have been staring at me when I took this image but I felt that he was. I wondered then, and still do now, what he was thinking as his beautiful dark eyes looked in my direction.
Studies have shown that corvids such as crows and ravens remember people and I wonder if this hawk has that ability too. Does he know he is safe with me and that I won’t approach him so closely that I spook him or make him uncomfortable? Only he knows but I hope that he is aware that I am no threat.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Rough-legged Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
Whoa!!! Now that’s a true eye-to-eye smack-down! I guarantee that I would blink first. Wonderful shots Mia. Thanks.
Mesmerizing look! I think birds have abilities far beyond what we mere humans attribute to them.
Working with birds in general in rehab I would say yes many of the birds remember us. How long in time the memory stays I don’t know. I do know one of the hummingbirds I had did remember me and come back to his spot the next year. I knew he recognized me by his behavior. I also knew he recognized and feared Haley from his behavior, she has better sight and dexterity, she had to help him and keep him in her brooder when he did a huge molt and was too cold. I do hope we see more roughies but the refuge removed some of the favorite roosts!
WHAT a beauty. Without evidence I am sure that many, many birds recognise and remember people. It is a survival technique.