It’s been way too long.
Over the years Ferruginous Hawks have been a favorite subject of mine even though my opportunities with them have never been numerous. I see them occasionally here in Utah but I’ve always been more successful with them in Montana. Normally by now I’d have made about four camping trips to Big Sky Country but for a variety of reasons I’ve only been there once this summer and Ferrugs were uncharacteristically elusive on that trip. So the last time I’ve spent any quality time with a Ferruginous Hawk was here in Utah way back on June 2 of this year – over four months ago.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
But yesterday morning this handsome bird in Utah’s west desert allowed me a close approach. I like the rustic old fence post, the darker, layered background and the interesting, partial side light on the hawk. Of course I also wanted some takeoff and flight shots but when the bird eventually launched it took off away from me.
I suppose on some levels this photo is just another “bird on a stick” but I do like the stick and you can imagine how I feel about finally having another opportunity with this truly regal species – the largest and most powerful of all of our buteos. I often think of Ferruginous Hawks as “wannabe Golden Eagles” and Birds of North America Online apparently agrees:
- “Both species have feathered tarsi, both build huge nests on cliffs and in trees, and both lay eggs that are very similar except in size; food habits, flight, behavior, and voice of the two are much alike.”
Ron
Beautiful !!! If you ever get the urge to come my way next summer .. I had a successful nest for 2 nd year in a row. .. afforded lots of pictures of juvies learning to fly
I’ll take your “just another bird-on-a-stick” posts over most of what’s online these days, professor. 😀
Incredible photo! “bird on a stick” is not a regal description of this regal creature! Reminds me of what my husband calls chicken satay from the Thai restaurant – meat on a stick!
I’ve never tried chicken satay, Nicole. Next time I just might…
Magnificent bird on the perfect perch in front of the perfect background. It don’t get no better than this (well, unless it’s a Golden Eagle — teehee 😉 ).
Yup, a Golden Eagle would work too, Marty!
Thanks…
Got Mia’s , now yours. I like “birds on. A stick”…especially when it’s a wooden stick…gives the stick a better reason for existing…background is especially nice in this image…colors, layers….
Yeah, what Patty said! Weathered fence posts are excellent perches and they MUST stay! Otherwise…well I don’t want to go there with all the rest of the ca-ca going on in the world!
Patty and Laura, around here we have lots weathered fence posts, many of them very old, but sadly they’re rapidly replacing them with those ugly new metal painted posts.
As you know, I’m NOT a big fan of progress…not a fan at all! In fact, I’ve pondered the logical path to the conclusion of capitalism. It ain’t pretty. In fact, this is another time I’m thankful to be a geezer so I won’t see a whole lot more progress.
I can’t believe that folks can’t see that there’s no character or beauty in metal(s). They’re cold and dead. Wood, on the other hand…
Very lovely, my daughters favorite bird.
They’re near the top of my list too, April.
Australian slang says it for me. Not a bird on a stick – but ‘heaven on a stick.’ Glad your addiction was fed.
Addiction fed for a day, EC – but as always it returned so I had to go shooting again this morning… 🙂
Ron, it is hard to find the words to describe this photo, but Dick Harlow certainly captured a few of them.
I like the background and the ‘stick’, which might be an old fence post.
Thank you for sharing.
It is an “old fence post”, Alice – leaning in its old age.
You captured both its majesty and the background’s serenity. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you, Elmer.
Beautiful Hawk. I don’t no much about hawks, but interesting to see pretty pictures, that you post. Thank you Ron.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Trudy.
Gorgeous portrait of a bird I’ve never seen. Sticks are far better perches than power poles, wires, devil-wire fences, etc. This is another one of those 3D images which really shows the bird off nicely. It was definitely worth waiting for this one.
I agree about the perch, Susan. I quite like it actually…
I agree with Mr. Harlow…not enough superlatives…simply beautiful…Thank you, Ron
I’m glad you like it, Steve. Thanks.
Beautiful, Awesome, Handsome ALL superlatives abound for this image!
Thanks for sharing!
Thank you, Dick.
Beautiful shot Ron!
Thanks, Charlotte.
beautiful shot Ron and I agree with Judy, the background colors provide wonderful complimentary variety to the Hawk and I like the stick too! Some things you just can’t plan for or control but that’s part of the fun!
Yup, planning when it involves birds is usually futile, Jerry. Thanks.
One of my regrets of living in Minnesota is that this most regal of the buteos is not native. I’ve never seen one in the wild. I should take a trip sometime further west and add this bird to my list. I would love to trap and fly one for falconry, except I am warned they do not care too much for areas that have many trees, preferring the wide open landscape. Also, you are correct that they are essentially an eagle . . . and those birds should only be flown by the most experienced.
Carolyn, I’ve heard from others that they’re a difficult species to use for falconry.
Hey Carolyn!! Hope you’re well!
From the falconers I’ve heard from who have flown Ferrugs, they really like wide open spaces. It’s a pity Richard moved here because he had a terrific field just outside of Denver that was loaded with cottontails and prairie dogs. It was a perfect place to fly a Ferrug! In fact, there was a resident pair there and I got to watch their sneak-attack strategy with prairie dogs several times, along with their ability to use that huge gape, making quick work of either prairie dogs or cottontails! That’s pretty impressive!
All that said, I’ll quibble with the idea that Ferrugs are “this most regal of the buteos.” Redtails have that category nailed! 😉
Ferrugs are just gorgeous (you KNEW I’d say that, didn’t you? LOL!). And indeed, I see them as a smaller eagle for the variety of reasons you mentioned. Glad to know that some of the -ologists agree with us!
And Dick Harlow is RIGHT! We need a whole bunch of new superlatives if we’re going to hang out here. I’ll try to come up with a few after my guests leave and I’ve finished cleaning/sorting out my house. HA like I can finish that cleaning thing–ever! It is to laugh.
Everything comes together in this “photograph” Ron. Beautiful everything. In no way a “bird on a stick”. The artist is coming out in you! Definitely worth the wait.
Nice of you to say so, Frank. Thank you.
Beautiful bird – the background really adds to the photograph.:) Glad you were able to find one in Utah……………
I agree about the background. Thanks, Judy.