The dark morph color phase of the Rough-legged Hawk is a near-nemesis bird for me but two days ago I found one in Utah Valley. I wish I’d had my teleconverter (tc) attached but this bird just didn’t give me the required time so this is one of those situations where I’m more enamored with the subject than I am with the images themselves.
1/2000, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
I include this shot for context since I’m no fan of wires and insulators. Notice that the tarsi are feathered down to the toes – a characteristic lacking in most hawk species.
1/2000, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
As the hawk took off it skimmed over the background mountains which gave me an effect that I like.
1/2000, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D, 500 f/4, not baited, set up or called in
The vast majority of Rough-legged Hawks are light morphs which partially explains why this was only my third decent opportunity with the dark morph (I do spot them occasionally but they seldom let me get close).
Here’s a close look at a light morph for the sake of comparison.
In a few weeks these birds will be leaving for their high-arctic breeding grounds so I hope to get more chances with them very soon.
Ron
WOW!!!!!!!!!! Gorgeous photos of absolutely gorgeous birds. I would be happy to see any color morph of this bird, but the dark one looks to be extra special. I hope you have many more encounters with the dark morphs.
Either one of those birds could be the sexiest rough-legged ever. Of course, I said that about the last one I saw. And the one before that. And the one before that…
I got a kick out of your comment, because that’s the way it is for me, too.
What a beautiful creature – and what delightful photos, Ron…I want to do a pencil sketch of one of these – I’ll send a copy to you if it turns out well. I’m just learning to draw birds, so – we’ll see!
What a beautiful bird. As usual, your pictures are wonderful. I especially love the 3rd pic.
I love seeing the spread of those wing-tip primaries. I have flown a few times in my dreams but that’s how I wish it would be in real life. Thanks, thanks, thanks.
Another great series and the grand finale, the light phase, is a truly amazing image! The details in these shots are priceless…the last one blows me away! Those talons are VERY impressive! I never look at any of your shots just once, but tend to revisit each of them many times….because they’re beautiful and interesting and because your comments and the comments of others are so interesting…there’s so much to learn from them. Time after time, I notice the flex in the outermost primaries, and wonder what kind of wear that puts on the shafts pf those feathers, and how long they can take that constant flexing without wearing out.
Thanks Ron! Nice images! I really appreciate that because of the close-up images, I can clearly see the faint detail of the diagnostic field marks for Rough-legged Hawk. Excellent!
Magnificent photographs of a beautiful raptor I hope to see some day! Glad you had that afterthought – great comparison, Ron! Yes, the mountains formed a perfect backdrop.
Amazing! How exciting to see!
Charlotte
Just beautiful. I’m so new at identifying the hawks in my backyard (Cooper’s and Sharp-shinned), that I so appreciate learning these little details. Thank you!
Wow….Coopers and sharp-shinned are the toughest ones in my book to tell apart! lol. I have a poster in the garage listing the differences between them, and yet one still might be wrong without an up close inspection. 🙂
Tim
Oh good to know … I don’t feel quite so ignorant! 🙂
In my quest to become the world’s foremost differentiator between Sharp-shinned and Cooper’s hawks, I have 3 incredible books–Crossley’s ID GUIDE-Raptors, by Richard Crossley, Jerry Ligupri, and Brian Sullivan; HAWKS AT A DISTANCE-Identification of Migrant Raptors, by Jerry Liguori and ;HAWKS FROM EVERY ANGLE, by Jerry Liguori. I will continue to be a loyal member of the McDudley Double L fan club ( McPherson, Dudly, Liguori, Liguori), will faithfully follow the Dudley, McPherson and Liguori blogs…AND, I will go outside and look up in the sky. This ought to do it……..(for you Patricia, and Tim, too)..
Oh how wonderful Ron! I have been VERY lucky this year to see my first Rough-legged Hawks–funny, how my photos don’t look this way 😉 Great shot with the mountains–wow. And, yes…the comparison photos is really helpful. Fingers crossed you’ll see some more…
The second image is Epic!
That there is a show winner. 🙂
Tim
Thank you, Tim. I think that’s my favorite of the dark morph too as I like its position over the mountains.
Wow Ron! I have not seen one of these before. What a treat. Such beautiful photos too!
I don’t see the dark morph often either, Jennifer. Thanks.
Ron. Having the light morph to compare with the dark was very helpful. Especially as your photos let me see all the feather groupings. Thanks
Thanks for the feedback, Diana. Adding the image of the light morph was an afterthought that almost didn’t happen.