It’s been a good winter in northern Utah for Rough-legged Hawks. I’ve seen many more this year than I have in years past and they were particularly abundant on Antelope Island and on the causeway. On several occasions out there we counted 20 birds or more. Their numbers have now thinned out considerably but there’s still a few of them around.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
I found this one a few weeks ago perched in the grasses in front of a darker colored field of dried sunflowers. The hawk was too obscured by the grasses for quality photos so as usual I set up for take-off.
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 500, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc
As the hawk gained elevation the darker sunflowers dominated the background but you can still see the out of focus grasses at the bottom of the frame. I really like the backgrounds/settings the island often provides, though all that texture and contrast behind the subject can sure make it a challenge to get focus lock on the bird – particularly in flight.
I’ll miss these handsome buteos this summer but hope they have a successful breeding season on the arctic tundra and return in good numbers again next winter.
Ron
gorgeous pic
These would certainly be nice photos to remember them by! Wouldn’t it be great if the Swainson’s arrive in the same numbers as this winter’s Roughies…
Yes, that would be wonderful Mike. I think I can count on one hand the opportunities I’ve had with Swainson’s and besides I love seeing them even if I don’t get any shots.
More great photos, as usual, Ron. As Chuck says, the bokeh on the second one is awesome.
I love the flex of feathers you captured, and the power of such a beautiful bird. Thank you.
Am I right in thinking your sunflowers are different as well? Ours have blooms seven or eight inches across in bright yellow. The petals drop to reveal a tightly clustered circle of seed. There is generally one bloom to a plant and they stand three or four feet high.
Elephant’s Child – yes, apparently our sunflowers are much different from yours (of course those in these photos are only the dried stems from last year). These are Helianthus annus and have multiple but much smaller blooms on each plant. There are photos of them flowering here: https://featheredphotography.com/blog/2011/09/16/critters-among-the-sunflowers-of-antelope-island/
Great wing position on both the birds, and the sunflower background is a killer in the second image. Real nice work Ron!