And some very good news about migrating Rough-legged Hawks, especially for local photographers and birders.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Here’s yet another bird on the now famous (infamous?) wild rose. I never thought I’d grow tired of colorful rose hips in my images but I’m now approaching that stage so I won’t be posting any more photos that include them anytime soon.
This is an adult Sage Thrasher photographed 17 days ago in northern Utah. I like the good close look at the bird in warm light and a pretty setting but I’m not terribly fond of the green stem directly behind its head and beak.
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
And this is a juvenile, especially evidenced by the yellowish gape. This bird took me by surprise when it…
1/4000, 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
coughed up a fruit pit. Usually I see it coming but this time I didn’t so I might not have fired a burst because in the next shot the pit couldn’t be seen after it fell. Perhaps in that shot, which I won’t include, the pit was already out of frame at bottom or maybe it was behind one of the leaves or berries as it was falling.
But here part if it can be seen in the back of the throat of the thrasher.
1/4000, 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
And the bird still didn’t cooperate very well when it took off in this direction instead of to my left. Oh well, I still think it’s an interesting look at takeoff and at least the bird turned its head so we could see its face and eye in good light.
Believe it or not I haven’t been out photographing birds for 11 long days now! That’s due to one of my several trips to the ER but mostly it’s because of crappy morning weather and light. I’m pretty discouraged about that track record and about the forecast for the next few days but one bit of great news from my good friend and HawkWatch volunteer Tana Peery Hunter has buoyed me up considerably.
Yesterday in southern Idaho Tana saw migrating Rough-legged Hawks. Yes, as in plural! And Tana knows her raptors so I’m confident of her ID.
They’re not only on their way but they’re very, very close! I needed that good news – thanks, Tana.
Ron
Notes:
- One of the many reasons I’m fond of Tana is because she helps to care for Galileo at HawkWatch International. My hero!
- Yup, I did it again this morning and clicked the ‘publish’ button before I was ready. That meant that subscribers received two different emails and the link in the first one probably didn’t work. I need more coffee before my fingers touch the keyboard! Apologies for the confusion.
Love all the shots especially the first shot, stem and all, just a beautiful bird.
If the Roughys are close to you that means they might just be close to us here in the East. However our weather has been acting weird, but I’m looking. Doing some netting and educational banding next week, I’ll let you know if they show up.
You’ll know when I see them, Dick!
The first image is amazing. I pulled it up on my big monitor (my laptop is hooked up to 52″ screen HD) and it pops! The effect of the green twig that you dislike actually provides stunning depth on my big screen, professor. 😀
Maybe you’re the professor in this case, Arwen. Might have to reevaluate…
😀
A wonderful stage for a series with lots of drama! Get better soon!
Thank you, Ken.
You may be tired of rose hip images, but I’m not…think they’re beautiful…esp. Love the first in this series…
Glad to hear it, Patty. Thanks.
Sensational series Ron!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
Nice photos! I especially appreciated your pointing out the yellow gape on the juvenile. Like others, I learn a lot from your posts.
Good! Thanks, Nancy.
I really like all these really clear shots of Sage Thrashers. I didn’t know the branch in the first one was a “problem” until I read your comment… 🙂 I’m glad to hear that the Roughies are getting close, and the mention of Galileo gets my heart beating a little faster. He is such a special bird. You can feature him in your posts any time, and I think that will make a lot of us happy.
I don’t visit Galileo as often as I should. I imagine it puts a little extra work on the volunteers when I show up so I’m a bit reluctant. Thanks, Susan.
I was a north of craters of the moon in farming area and saw two for sure and a bunch of red tails and one feruginous. Snowing in Arco now!
Thanks for those specifics, Tana!
I actually like the green stem in the first shot because of the contrast it provides against the bird. I feel like I can see the beak more clearly. The pit-retching (better out than in) is pretty cool too; I like the eye beginning to close. The takeoff shot is unusual to me as it looks like he’s just levitating. Maybe I need coffee too. 😉
Please thank Tana for taking care of “our” Galileo (I feel a definite bond with the little guy!). And I hope things are starting to improve in all “areas” (ahem!) so you can get out shooting soon.
Thanks, Marty. You’re right about the apparent levitating.
Galileo just melts my heart every time I see him. He’s such a beautiful little owl and he was so incredibly vulnerable and frightened while he was hanging on that wire with his concerned parent perched just a few feet away.
And they STILL haven’t repaired that wire I cut after that guy was so unhappy with me because I cut it. I even offered to pay for the repair…
If I ever make it up to SLC to see you and Mia, Galileo is definitely on my bucket list!
That bush has certainly provided a back drop for a number of birds now! Pretty bird even if it didn’t quite cooperate on take off..;) Saw the 2 posts and just went to the 2nd one – “nimble fingers” strikes again! 🙂 Glad the Rough-legged hawks are on their way and, hopefully, weather will cooperate for you to capture photo’s of them – lot of off/on drizzle/clouds here for awhile. Galileo is still a wonderful story even if he couldn’t be released……… 🙂 Hope your health is improving…
I hate that feeling when I hit that publish button and it’s too damned late to take it back! I think that’s the third time now.
When I was writing this post I wondered if you’d seen any roughies up your way, Judy. I know that others are seeing them in MT.
Not sure – have had a couple of large hawks around parked on the cross the neighbor has (large cross on top of a hill). About all I’ve seen is silhouette and them sitting on their legs……….. One in flight has a distinctive white band on the upper part of it’s tail when it takes off..
Beautiful Thrasher images, Ron.
Thank you, Alan.
Do enjoy the thrasher photos! We get the Brown Thrasher here but it has been an elusive bird for me and I have only seen a juvie once. These photos are easy on the eye. 😍 Our weather here has drastically slowed any photo trips also…rain, rain, and more rain or it’s dark skies and winds making for poor lighting. After seeing the photo of the Rough-Legged from the Milwaukee area, I drove through the marshes again here with hope in my heart yesterday but nothing yet. I’ll be looking forward to your photos soon of them!
“I’ll be looking forward to your photos soon of them”
I hope so, Kathy. But there’s a lot on my plate right now and the forecast still looks dreary for a while so it may or may not happen soon. Fingers are crossed though…
Beautiful shots Ron. Particularly loved the first one of the adult – gorgeous vivid colours and contrast. I never tire of Rose hips. Thanks for sharing…
I never thought I’d tire of them either, Donna. But then I’ve seen a lot more of them than my readers have. Thank you.