My First of the Season Rough-legged Hawks

Rough-legged Hawk on Parking Area sign – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

I went to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge yesterday hoping to see and photograph my first of the season Tundra Swans and Rough-legged Hawks, I dipped on the swans but found at least 5 of the hawks. Of the Rough-legged Hawks only one of them was anywhere near close enough to photograph and all of the places it decided to perch on were signs. The first sign I saw it perched on was the “Parking Area” sign on the north side of the auto tour route. I hope the hawk parks in this area often this winter.

Last year there was a Rough-legged Hawk that was consistently found in this same area of the refuge and yesterday I spent time wondering if this hawk was that same hawk.

Rough-legged Hawk on a sign at Bear River MBR – Nikon D500, f14, 1/160, ISO 500, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited

The Rough-legged Hawk took flight across the water and landed on another sign about only possessing 10 shells on that specific dike. This image is full frame and I could only get the hawk and the characters “ossess 10” in it when I turned my D500 vertical.

While I usually prefer natural perched to man made perches I am becoming more accepting of man made perches in my images as I grow as a bird photographer.

I am excited about seeing the Rough-legged Hawks on the refuge again and hopefully the Tundra Swans aren’t too far behind.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to view more of my Rough-legged Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.