I can often thank the uropygial gland of birds for providing me with some interesting poses.
I’ve posted other photos of this hawk in the past but this one is new to my blog.
1/1600, f/8, ISO 400, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
The uropygial gland (preen gland) is found at the base of the tail and birds use the oil it produces to dress and condition their feathers while preening. Birds typically raise the feathers along the lower back and rump in order to access the gland with their beak and face. Those raised feathers, along with the contortions birds go through to get at it and then spread the oil over their entire plumage, can provide some interesting poses.
Here the hawk has just raised its head after accessing the gland with its bill and some of the lower back feathers are still raised. The rump feathers have recently been nearly flattened again.
I’ve always liked the complementary colors in my photos of this handsome hawk, in addition to the nice detail and interesting behavior.
Ron
Note: Much more on the function of the uropygial gland and additional photos of this bird as it was preening can be found in this earlier blog post if you have the interest.
A preening bird is a happy, healthy bird. This hawk has a peaceful, contented look of serenity. Wonderful photo, Ron.
Great shot, very interesting.
Charlotte
Gorgeous! What more can I say? Simply gorgeous!
I’m the very “late bird” to this post today…it’s been a day, if you know what I mean … But oh, that Roughie, that amazing face! An incredible portrait. Kathy said it right and I can’t think of anything more to add. 🙂
What a gorgeous RLHA Ron!! Perfection!!!
Thanks, Pamela. And you got a great pose from the male harrier you posted today on FB. I guess preening was the theme of the day for us.
Perfect timing for a grooming post — we just finished our grooming day at the shelter. Got a bunch of dogs scrub-a-dub-dubbed. I did two of our 70+ pounders — gotta love the big bubbas — super sweet gentle giants. 🙂
That Hornbill link was something else!!! 🙂
It’s nice to have good timing for a change! Thanks, Marty.
You always have good timing with me — even when you don’t. 😛
All I can say ‘I’m speechless’! This is probably the most beautiful photo of a RoughLegged that I have ever seen. Everything about it is perfection but that face has melted my heart. I don’t know how you do it but just when I think you can’t do any better you come up with a photo that makes me speechless.
That’s high praise, Kathy. Thanks very much.
Sometimes I get to your blog later in the day than I would like…consequently all the “good” words have been used…so,not wanting to be redundant, I’m just going to say…. Outstanding! (That goes for the photo and the lesson)…Thanks again, Ron
Outstanding works just fine for me, Steve! Thanks.
Gorgeous shot!
Thanks, Jean.
Beautiful all the way. I almost feel like I am there. Thanks for sharing.
I’m glad you enjoyed it, Betty.
Great capture. The face is interesting in that pose.
Thanks, Arwen.
Hi Ron. Always love your shots of roughies. Here is Alberta they are common in winter yet I struggle to get a decent photo. Most are very wary. You must sprinkle fairy dust on those that make to your neck of the woods. I wake up early every morning and look forward to your posts. Many thanks.
Most are wary of me too, Wayne. This one was unusually approachable. Thank you.
Beautiful, what a nice looking Roughy!
Thank you, Dick.
Love the relaxed look on her face. I feel that when they preen they’re in the zone of pure relaxation. Great shot of the gland, knew they had one but have never seen it.
It’s a rainy day here in Sacramento and loving it 😁
Have a good day
I always feel somewhat privileged when a bird preens with me nearby, Diana. It means that they feel comfortable in my presence.
Sweeeeeeet! I had to take my reading glasses off and clean them to take a closer look. As you say, the background colors are so complementary. Just a wonderful image, but I have to say I am somewhat biased about raptors, any raptors. I love the angle of the head in relation to the to the body and the sight bit of side lighting adds a bunch. Definitely a keeper here and belongs on a wall. The combination of the colors of the bird and the background give me the impression “here is an image of the Great Basin high desert”.
I know that feeling about dirty reading glasses, Frank. I have a ritual and always clean mine just before editing an image. Thanks.
She is beautiful. Yes, I am calling her a female. Judy’s right about the eye – definitely not that “piercing” look we often see in raptors. I often notice this time of year that raptors seem more visible all of a sudden. I am guessing that some of that can be attributed to the almost leafless trees. Yesterday we had a Cooper’s on the back fence and a Red-tail on a nearby tree, and then when I went out looking to take photos I saw two Red-tails, one more Coopers, a Northern Harrier, a juvenile bald eagle, and a kestrel.
Everett Sanborn, Prescott AZ
Based on size I think you may be right about “her” sex, Everett.
Congrats on all your raptors. So far I’m not seeing great numbers of them.
Nice! 🙂 Eye contact that isn’t “piercing”, colors of the bird and background blend nicely – can’t ask for more! On that note I saw 3 different roughies in 3 different areas on a 20 mile drive home from town yesterday – little slow migrating perhaps? Sister in Anchorage Earthquake area – YIKES! They are OK. When the Yellowstone quake happened an aunt woke up about 5 min. before they could feel it and birds were going nuts even though it was night time……
“little slow migrating perhaps”
If so, maybe more roughies are still on their way down here. Hope so.
My parents very nearly stayed in the Hebgen Lake area on the night of the Yellowstone quake on their way to California. A last minute change of plans may have saved them. They often talked about what could have happened. I was 12 years old and stayed with friends in Cut Bank while they were gone.
Good to hear that your sister’s safe.
Ron,
Nice shot. Is it possible that I am the first to comment?
Stephen
Yup, you’re an early bird this morning, Stephen.