For me this image has the stamp of Antelope Island through and through, though others may not recognize it.
1/2000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I found this Rough-legged Hawk perched on a boulder on the northwest part of the island exactly two years ago. The light-colored rock, Tintic Quartzite, is fairly distinctive of the north end of the island. The image was taken from a high point on the island and I was looking down slightly on the bird so the entire background is the sunlit Great Salt Lake – all of which fairly reeks (in a good way) of Antelope Island for me.
This bird was side-lit so this angle to the sun and pose were about the only conditions that worked well in a photograph (most of my other shots of the hawk were deleted). Long ago I posted a similar but different image of this bird but looking back on it I didn’t particularly like the way I’d processed it so I wanted to do a better job of it this time. The out of focus rusty spots in front of the rock are dried seed heads in the foreground.
Numbers of wintering Rough-legged Hawks vary considerably around here from year to year. This winter I’m seeing very few of them on the island and can seldom get close to one when I do. Hopefully my track record in that regard will improve soon.
Ron
Simply beautiful!
Although I’ve never been to Antelope Island I can feel your love for it within your description. It really must be special! Thank you so much for sharing your feelings and your consistently outstanding images!
They have a very round head…or is that just due to the ruffling of feathers?
Nope, it’s definitely rounded, Arwen. They have a relatively small bill for a buteo too.
Thank you all. I’ve been out shooting all morning and when I got home my electricity went out so it’s been a little hectic around here…
Such a stylish and elegant bird. In harmony with his surroundings. I do hope some more of his friends and relatives come your way.
Hi! wonderful shoot and a beautiful Bird! You really bring out the colors and background so great1 Keep up the especially good Photo’s. Have a great day shooting today!
That is a beautiful composition, Ron. And though I know raptors aren’t sweet by any stretch of the imagination, I still think this roughie has a sweet face. Enigmatic, anyway! I guess it’s the eyes.
Ron
Any word on the prospects of eagles this year in Farmington Bay.
Thanx
Rich
Lovely shot Ron! Thanks for sharing!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
How dapper the Rough-legged Hawk looks compared to the tattered eagle! I love the softness of the under-plumage. Tintic Quartzite – handsome!
“Dapper” is a good description, Alison, especially in comparison to that eagle. Glad you like the perch. In some light those quartzite rocks are much too bright.