Two days ago Rough-legged Hawks were difficult to get close to at Bear River MBR. I saw a few of them but they seemed to be more skittish than usual.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
This adult, found after I had left the refuge on my way home, was the only roughie that allowed me to get my lens on it before it took off.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I wish I’d been closer and I’m not fond of the dark horizontal band in the background but the hawk gave me some nice takeoff and flight poses. In this view we can see how the leg feathers of this species go all the way down to the feet (thus the name “rough-legged”).
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
The hawk was turning slightly away from me so it didn’t maintain good eye contact for long but it also meant that the bird tipped its underside in my direction so I had good light on the ventral surfaces at that time of morning.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 400, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I was far enough away that I didn’t get great detail and the hawk is a little small in the frame but I liked the flight poses well enough to post the series anyway.
Ron
PS – Late yesterday there were several developments regarding recent blog posts that many readers will never see unless I point them out. For those who missed them yesterday they include the following:
- There was a lot of interest in the rickety old Bear River MBR observation tower I used to climb with rambunctious students from the Utah Museum of Natural History. While I was composing that post I looked for a photo of the tower I could include but never could find one. But Bear River MBR refuge staff saw my post and then included a photo of the old tower their own Facebook page. If you’re a FB user that photo of the ancient tower can be seen here.
- Two days ago my post was about a vomiting Northern Harrier and the obvious question became “why was the hawk vomiting rather than just casting a pellet?”. I believe one of my readers may have solved that mystery and I’ve now added an addendum and an additional photo to illustrate that possibility (probability?).
Just lovely! We’ve got a few rough-leggeds here now. I’ve seen two, but that’s it. Still, I’m thankful for each and every raptor that lives here.
Interesting that the leading primary on this hawk is damaged, too. Wonder what’s getting them? Thankfully, the molt will start soon and they’ll be back to feather perfect shortly. Don’t you wish WE could do that? And that flying thing, too! 😉
Mr. Harlow said it best….Beautiful !!
Great shots of what looks like a young hawk, juvenile Roughy.
The belly and ventral side to the wings is different from what we see here in the East. Beautiful!
Thank you, Dick.
As we head for another stinking hot day, this series is a breath of fresh air. Megathanks. And I hope that you get some of the cool weather/snow you need.
Thanks, EC. And I hope you get some relief from the heat.
Stunning series Ron!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
These are all such beautiful shots!!! I always love what I call the “fling” shots where they fling there wings straight up, so the first is a favorite….beautiful bird!!!
Thanks very much, Patty.
I feel like coming out your way if weather stays good and my camera ever gets back to me .. love the harrier ( minus vomit) still have not spotted a rough legged hawk .. I hear there’s a snowy owl over Denver .. but I avoid cities ..
Marina, I think I read somewhere yesterday that there are several Snowy Owls in CO right now.
Birds have been incredibly slow around here all “winter”. We need snow and cold but right now at 7AM it’s almost 60 degrees! We do have a storm coming in tonight though so maybe that’ll help.
One thing I have lots of is Sandhills cranes !! Thousands !!! I do love photographing them but it’s like you said trying to isolate a few .. the depth of field is so shallow I hate all those out of focus birds in picture
Your first and last shots show my favorite bird pose — plus pantaloonies! 😀 Yay for your influence far and wide. Love it!
Just took a peek at the old tower. I’m guessing the “whitewash” on the side isn’t from birds (unless it was a particular Northern Harrier). 😉 That would be quite a climb with 36 youngsters.
Marty, I don’t remember for sure but it’s my guess it is whitewash. Birds, ravens and gulls in particular, would often perch on the tower when no one was using it.
I went in a totally different direction based on your description of hanging onto (and possibly over) the sides of a swaying tower. 😉
Ha, that other option is a definite possibility given the height and flimsiness of that old tower! 🙂
Thanks, Marty. I don’t know how much influence I may have but I’m often surprised by references to my blog from diverse sources.
However in this case the main reason Bear River MBR posted a link to my blog on their FB page is because the employee I talked to on the phone (when I was trying to find out info about the new observation tower) asked me to send her the link when I published it (she’s the one responsible for their FB page).
Still an great series Ron – even if not up to “perfection”. It shows the ventral surfaces and legs VERY well. 🙂 I love how their feathers go all the way to their feet. 🙂 Karen may have hit on something. Glad the old picture showed up even tho I don’t do Facebook! Your blog spreads far and wide. 🙂 There is a picture of the old tower on page 2 of this old report. Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge Annual Narrative Report Calendar Year 1986. Many interesting photos of the damage done. https://ecos.fws.gov/ServCat/Reference/Profile/40510 I can only get it as a download….
Holy moly! I loved seeing those old photos, Judy. Thanks so much for the link.
Those years of flooding were incredibly destructive. I have so many memories of those old buildings and the observation tower that were destroyed by the water and ice. Later today I’m going to spend more time looking at those photos and reading the report.
Thanks again!