I’m beginning to make some headway on my Rough-legged Hawk ‘work in progress’.
Six days ago I posted my first half way decent photo of a Rough-legged Hawk taken since their recent return from their arctic breeding grounds. I described that photo as a work in progress, mostly because it was taken from much too far away for good detail.
1/8000, f/7.1, ISO 700, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Two days ago in a remote area of northern Utah I actually achieved some of that progress when this beauty allowed me a close approach. I’m not fond of the perch or the wire but to me the photo is all about the hawk itself. I think ‘she’s’ stunning but then I have a soft spot for roughies. She was partially side lit so the only pose that allowed me light in her eye was when she turned her head to look behind her.
Typical of me I was hoping for takeoff or flight shots but she chose the four second span of time it takes me to swap out my teleconverter to take off so I missed her launch.
1/2500, f/7.1, ISO 700, 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 she redeemed herself somewhat when she soared several circular loops high above me before leaving the area. This overhead view of the same hawk allows a good look at the distinctive dark carpal patches (wrist patches) of the species.
Progress on my goal certainly doesn’t mean I’ve achieved it; That will only happen when I get closeup photos of a roughie on a more attractive and natural perch.
But some progress is vastly superior to no progress at all.
Ron
They totally know, the little stinkers! 😈 She’s a beauty! The soaring shot is pretty darn special.
Stinkers indeed. Thanks, Marty.
Majestic and Marvellous.
I am so glad that she flirted with you by allowing you to believe that ‘this time’ you might, just might get the shots you are working towards. And unsurprised that she made maximum use of that four second gap to make her escape, before flying over to taunt you again.
I’ve said it before, EC. I’m convinced that birds watch me for the moment I’m distracted and THEN they take off!
What a BEAUTY!! And of COURSE s/he waited for you to be preoccupied with lens changing to take off! That kind of thing happens far too often to be anything but deliberate.
I’m afraid I must quibble with you on the roughies’ “most beautiful buteo” status. OBVIOUSLY, redtails hold that title hands down. And of course, any other answer would get me roundly, soundly and profoundly wing whapped upside the head by Ms. Mariah 😉 (NOTE: parabuteos [Harris’ Hawks] and falcons [Kestrels] are excluded from this discussion, LOL!!)
I know I haven’t said this before, but I LOVE your photography!!
Thanks, Laura. To coin a phrase, beauty is in the eye of the beholder… 🙂
You go! While you’re striving for elusive perfection, we can enjoy your excellence. I love these birds. We see few in Northern California. But the few we do see and the occasional Ferruginous make winter a joy. (Also rain! Who knew?)
Thanks, Sallie. Congrats on the rain! I know you need it desperately.
I’m a fan of all your shots, Ron. Old, new, close, far, soft, crisp, side-lit, yellow light, twigs, metal posts – whatever your camera captures and you post here is a great part of every day for me. I get to see birds in a way that i’ve never seen them before. I also like watching all of my local birds flitting in the bushes and the tree tops and on the ground, but i never see the detail that your photos show us. If i need a smile, or need a diversion from the world out there, i just pull up some of your posts. It’s all good.
I couldn’t have said it better, or as well, for that matter.
Thank you, Lyle.
Nina, just so you know, your comment did the same thing for me as you say my photos do for you. I needed a diversion from the world this morning and your kind comment helped me to escape it for a few moments. Knowing me I’ll be back to read it again.
We all need a diversion from time to time. It’s good to know that my words of thanks helped your morning.
Beautiful! Her almost “needle like” beak obviously would have no problem piercing whatever. The dark wrist patches are a great identification tool. Glad she cooperated some for you…😀
Judy, I actually had to turn around on the road and come back for her which meant I had to pass close by her a second time to get a better light angle. I was lucky she stuck.
That is a great shot. On a natural perch whether tree or rock would be gorgeous. It will happen. Would love to see one here someday. We show it as a winter visitor with no more than five sightings per year so my possibilities are limited.
Thanks, Everett. I don’t think many of them make it as far south as your location.
She is stunning. Well done!
Thank you, Jean.