This hawk performed the ultimate stretch, from tippy-toes to wingtips.
This photo was taken two days ago in Tooele County. The Ferruginous Hawk was perched in a branch-cluttered tree and the light was from the side so conditions were far from ideal but he sure did stretch out when he took off.
He had to quickly get his body above the branches in front of him so he used his feet and legs to push upwards and his wings were raised vertically to get maximum lift from that first wing flap. My shutter fired just as he was in the most stretched-out position possible and I think this head-on view gives us an interesting perspective to appreciate his efforts.
I also notice that his wings are rotated at significantly different angles which makes me wonder if he intended his left wing to propel him mostly forward when it came down and his right wing to provide more of the lift. If so I also marvel at whatever it is – instinct, muscle memory, thought process or a combination – that allows birds to make such varying choices so quickly and accurately.
The photo is less than perfect technically for several reasons but I was drawn to it anyway so I decided to share.
Ron
WOW!..and camouflaged britches to boot…(no pun intended) Thank you again ,Ron.
Steve, I saw a meme on Facebook this week that said something like this – “My favorite puns are intended”. I tend to like both types… 🙂 Thanks.
Grace, balance, beauty, strength and style. And britches.
🙂
Impressive span!
Yup.
Oh, s/he is spectacular! Really interesting how that wing is angled … I guess more like being double-jointed than dislocated since it flew off without any obvious issues (or you’d have mentioned that, I’m sure). And such beautiful pantaloons! I also have to say that I like the “branch-cluttered tree” the hawk chose to perch in, Mary K is right about the “echo” ….
Thanks, Chris. Yes, this bird flew off just fine. I may post one of the flight shots sometime down the road.
Technical, schmechnical. This is a phenomenal shot. I don’t think I realized before now just how long their legs are. Plus, pantaloons always bring a smile. 😄
I’m glad you like it, Marty. Thank you.
‘‘This will sound weird but I opened up today’s post on my iPhone and, as I started scrolling down, the wing tips were the first thing to come into view and my first thought was “those are angel’s wings.” Of course, I suppose an angel’s wings would be all white but the way you captured the light is remarkable. Don’t get me wrong, I’m far from being religious but that was my impression.
Nothing wrong with angel wings when they’re on a bird! Thanks, Lyle.
I like how his speckled legs echo the nodules on the branches around him. This is a beautiful photo, and whatever imperfection you may see, I just can’t!
Interesting observation about the legs/nodules, Mary.
Regarding imperfections – the bird isn’t as sharp as I prefer (which is more obvious in the high res image than it is here at low res) and the sidelight made some of the whites in his right “armpit” pretty bright and lacking detail.
Don’t get me wrong, I still like the image.
Beautiful and amazing capture, Ron! 🙂 REALLY stretching! Left wing is really turned back – lots of flexibility and power there.
Thank you, Judy.
The extraordinary balance of grace and power….so attractive to the photographer of raptors!
Well said, Thomas.
That flexibility in “his” shoulders is so awe-inspiring! The left shoulder appears almost to be dislocated…….I wouldn’t have imagined this posture to be even possible…….thanks for yet again
broadening my perceptions !
“The left shoulder appears almost to be dislocated”
Interesting observation, Kathy – you’re right.
Awesome photo – I love the freckled pantaloons! I too am always amazed at birds’ athletic abilities. We are such slugs in comparison. Not that there’s anything wrong with slugs 🙂
Thanks, Joanne. I enjoyed two parts of your comment in particular – “freckled pantaloons” and your reference to slugs, including disclaimer.
Certainly is a lot to ponder here and appreciate. I do love those legs! One does not see that length very often…’ankles to thighs’. As I said yesterday, I do like the ‘freckling spots’ of brown also. And I especially love the face on this bird.😍 A very nice catch!
I agree about his legs in this posture, Kathy. My eye is drawn to them almost equally as much as they are to his spectacularly raised wings.
Incredible and beautiful. What a spectacular sight to see to start my morning. Outstanding Ron.
Thank you, Art.