The occasional wild raptor is unusually approachable but I’ve rarely had that happen with a Rough-legged Hawk. They spend much of the year in the arctic and subarctic so when they come down here for the winter they’re unaccustomed to the trappings of man and tend to be shy and skittish.
This adult male (I believe) was a notable exception.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 400mm, not baited, set up or called in
Whenever possible I try to avoid flushing birds, raptors especially, but sometimes when they’re along the road you’re traveling you have little choice. Yesterday morning just after dawn this hawk was perched on a sign along the loop road at Bear River MBR. I’d seen several others of the species on my way to the refuge but each of them flew off when I was a couple of hundred yards away so I fully expected this bird to do the same thing. It didn’t.
I set up for flight shots when I was still some distance away but the hawk had no intention of leaving its perch so eventually I crept forward on the road and wondered when it would fly off. When I was roughly 40′ from it and the bird amazingly was still there I pulled off and just watched it rather than continue on my way and force it off the ugly, leaning sign that it apparently loved so much.
For a total of 23 minutes it didn’t even flinch as it sat there warming in the morning sun. I was much too close to use my 500mm lens even with the tc removed so I switched to the zoom for these two shots.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF 100-400mm f4.5-5.6L IS II USM @ 400mm, not baited, set up or called in
After a good long while the hawk began to stir and leisurely stretched its wing and tail so I figured it was thinking about vacating the premises but it took its good sweet time in doing so. Naturally I missed the take-off shots because I was reaching for my camcorder when it happened but it gave me some satisfaction that I hadn’t forced the bird off its perch.
This video clip should give the viewer a sense of the situation with this handsome hawk. To keep distances in perspective be aware that I zoom in on the bird from wide-angle (27mm) to telephoto (576mm). The sounds you hear in the background are from a camera shutter.
Whether or not I get the image it always gives me a great deal of satisfaction when a wild raptor is so calm in my presence and this encounter warmed my heart (which I appreciated because it was freezing in my pickup with the windows down for that long…).
I didn’t get any great images but I sure left with some wonderful memories.
Ron
Love the song sparrow among the ice crystals. Terrific work!
Every now and then one is lucky enough to find a bird that isn’t super shy. Your lucky day Ron. Beautiful bird, and great shot!
WHAT a privilege to see.
Yup, it was, EC.
Boy! Looks Ike you were really able to get pretty close to that beautiful bird….love the underwing detail! The bird obviously can read and is obeying the sign. nthe arrow points to the top of the sign and that’s exactly where the bird is sitting(I wonder if Cornell will accept this as evidence of bird literacy)….
Patty, I think I’ll rotate that sign 90 degrees so the arrow points at a natural perch. Then if the hawk follows directions I’d be happy.
Good thinking!
Gorgeous Ron! I had to chuckle with the video. I know how you hate signs, but that one was actually pretty good in the context of raptors. One way, UP! And yes, I’m easily amused. It doesn’t take much! LOL!
Laura, I guess I like those signs because raptors like them. But that’s the only reason…
I’m not sure they LIKE the signs as perches as much as they NEED them in environments like Utah. That said, the Cornell hawks perch on low-lying signs regularly when they have plenty of other options–mostly after they’ve done an unsuccessful prey run. Personally, I’d think a sign perch would be pretty uncomfortable for say, a redtail, but what do I know?
Laura, I’ve often wondered if they perch on signs as much as they do because it’s easy on, easy off and a great hunting perch – all three because there are no close branches to get in the way of their wings or obstruct their view. Also, when they take off they’re pushing against a solid surface instead of a twig that often gives when they push off – especially in the case of Roughies who are known to perch high in trees on spindly branches. But what do I know…
Wonderful Rough-legged Hawk, Ron!! I’m sure you truly enjoyed your time observing and photographing him. Of course you know the reason – the word is out in the Bird Kingdom that Ron Dudley the photographer has been making many of their fellow birds famous so they want to be sure you get good chances at adding photos of them!!!
I did enjoy it, Jo Ann. Thoroughly. Thank you.
Nice! 🙂 Sometimes it’s just time to watch and enjoy – looks like the signs are trying to desensitize you a bit! 🙂
Not much of a chance of that, Judy… 🙂
I would take his waving at you as a compliment, Ron! Obviously he has seen you before, I’m sure you may not have seen him, BUT he knows you aren’t a threat. So…. why not give you a show!
Great shots and the sign didn’t bother me a bit!
Can you believe it, Dick? I posted birds on those dang signs two days in a row!
I think we all bird sometimes to try to be part of a bird’s life and “brain”. I always feel special when a bird allows me to be part of their world for a while. Your blogs start my day every day before the sun rises. Thank you Ron.
Sounds like you’re an “early bird” too, Kathy. Thank you.
Wow that’s an awesome experience Ron!
I enjoyed the heck out of it, Carl.
A beautiful bird and beautiful setting. Thank you for continuing to share your adventures.
An adventure it was, Zaphir. Thanks.
I had the pleasure of watching a sparrowhawk yesterday. I thought about you and made myself sit in my car rather than walk closer. She was a beauty. And it was very satisfying to stay parked and just watch. Thanks for being an educator, Ron. Your hawk friend is gorgeous. 🙂
“I thought about you and made myself sit in my car rather than walk closer”
I loved that you said that, Arwen. Thank you.