Rough-legged Hawk on a snow and lichen covered rock – Nikon D500, f8, 1/640, ISO 320, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
The warm weather we have had in the Salt Lake City area recently may have melted nearly all of the snow on the valley floor but north of here in Box Elder County there is still plenty of the white stuff at lower elevations, in fact there is more snow on the ground than I have seen up there in a long time. Yesterday it looked like there might be decent light up north for bird photography unfortunately it wasn’t all that great at times though there were plenty of birds to be found.
When I photographed this Rough-legged Hawk on a snow and lichen covered rock the light was decent and brought out the colors of the hawk and the orange lichen covering the rocky outcropping it was perched on. The snow on the hillside behind the hawk also made the colors pop.
Rough-legged Hawk on a lichen covered rock – Nikon D500, f8, 1/640, ISO 320, +1.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
When I photograph birds on these lichen-covered rocks I get a bit excited because of the colors and textures of the rocks and I think of the birds as the frosting on the earthy cake.
I like these two compositions the most of the images I took yesterday. Not too long after these images were taken the clouds moved in and the light got iffy. More photos to come from this trip north on another day.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Rough-legged Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
The colors and textures add a lot to these wonderful images, I agree.
Rain tonight will reduce our snow level in Box Elder County even more.
Terrific shots; love the hawk and the contrasting textures. Thanks.
Outstanding captures.
Great shots! I love the lichens and the rocks. The lichens look like the icing on the cake and the bird is like the cherry on top…very appropriate, since your birthday is tomorrow!!!
Simply gorgeous! I love how the colors interact with each other, but then I’m a fool for raptors (and birds/critters in general), the outrageous beauty of the Earth in general and watching how the colors of the day play with everything in The Great Out There!
The colors of the sky and his colors are beautiful. Carol
Lovely! Thanks for sharing. Saw hovering last week in the Lake Champlain Valley.