![\"\"](\"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/12\/ferruginous-hawk-5116-ron-dudley.jpg\" "\\"ferruginous-hawk-5116-ron-dudley\\"")
<\/p>\nThis hawk performed the ultimate stretch, from tippy-toes to wingtips.<\/p>\n
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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.<\/p>\n
He had to quickly\u00a0get 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\u00a0in the most stretched-out position possible and I think this head-on view gives us an interesting perspective to appreciate his efforts.<\/p>\n
I also notice that his wings are rotated at significantly different angles which makes me\u00a0wonder if he intended his left wing to propel him mostly\u00a0forward when it came down and his right wing to provide more of the lift. If so I also marvel at whatever it is –\u00a0instinct, muscle memory, thought process or a combination –\u00a0that allows birds to make such varying\u00a0choices so quickly and\u00a0accurately.<\/p>\n
The photo is less than perfect technically for several reasons\u00a0but I was drawn to it anyway so I decided to share.<\/p>\n
Ron<\/p>\n
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This hawk performed the ultimate stretch, from tippy-toe to wingtips.<\/p>\n