Not all raptor nesting material consists of twigs and sticks.
1/1600, f/6.3, ISO 1000, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
This is one of a mated pair of Ferruginous Hawks I’ve been following all week in Montana’s Centennial Valley. I watched as it flew from a power pole to the ground and selected this piece of nesting material before it took off with it in its beak. Initially the hawk flew straight at me but then it veered off to my right.
I had very little light for the shot so I had to crank up my ISO.
I’m not sure what the nesting material actually is but I suspect it to be a piece of sod (although it could be a variety of other things, including cow poop). I’ve also seen these birds with small to medium-sized sticks but they often pick up material that looks just like what this bird is carrying.
Historically they used to use bison bones in their nest construction – these are very large and powerful hawks.
There’s a bit of a mystery about what these hawks are doing with all the nesting material but more details about that will have to wait until I no longer have to post from the field with this blasted laptop and a spotty internet connection.
I’ll be heading home soon but I wish I could continue this camping trip for another week!
Ron
Great shot! You know what? I love the feet!!
If there are dermestids in the nest, they would probably prefer cow patties to moving,young birds. BNA lists dermestids as a nest parasite for many birds but I did not check for this sp.
Interior decorations is SUCH a personal decision. The mystery object looks softer than sticks and bones.
Echoing Patty (again). Stay longer if you can.
This eagle-hawk must build some nest to be able to use a chunk of mystery material that big! Great shot! Can you stay a little longer??? Plans are meant to be adjusted…
Ron, great shot. It is a beautiful bird
This is a wonderful shot, with the bird coming straight toward you. I had to zoom in to recognize that the nesting material was not part of the hawk – it matches the bird too well!
WOW Ron…what a GREAT shot! Yeah, I know, it’s all ridiculously repetitive again. 🙂
I have NO idea what that nesting material could be, either.
And I’m SURE you’d like to stay another week, or several. If I could handle the winters there, but…
It’s a mouthful and a wonderful straight on shot for sure! 🙂
Thanks, Judy.