Immature Rough-legged Hawk in flight over a field – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light, not baited
Eight days ago I spent time photographing an immature, light morph Rough-legged Hawk at Farmington Bay WMA in northern Utah. I previously shared four images of this handsome visitor from the far North and thought that today I would share more photos of this bird. Prior to these images the young hawk had taken off from a kestrel nest box after prey, it missed the prey and then circled back towards the nest box and I was able to capture a great series of it in flight and as it landed.
I loved the dorsal view of the Rough-legged Hawk’s wings and flared tail in this photo.
Immature light morph Rough-legged Hawk flying towards a nest box – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light, not baited
Even while I photographed the hawk in flight I could see that it had it’s eyes on the nest box, was concentrating entirely on it and it completely ignored the three photographers with long lenses that were photographing it as it flew over the field.
Immature Rough-legged Hawk with its eye on its landing spot – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light, not baited
This young Rough-legged Hawk flew with such ease that even while I photographed it I marveled at the beauty of it’s long wings and the graceful flight of these raptors.
Light morph immature Rough-legged Hawk in flight heading towards its perch – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light, not baited
After I took this photo I decided to pre-focus on the nest box so that I could take photos of the Roughie landing on it so I quickly aimed my lens at the box, focused and started firing when I saw the hawk fly into my view finder.
Immature Rough-legged Hawk landing pose – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR, natural light, not baited
There was one landing image I had shared in my previous post about this Rough-legged Hawk that was taken one frame ahead of this one that showed the pin point landing and I felt I wanted to show the frame right after it because I love this landing pose with the upraised wings that I often see when Rough-legged Hawks land.
I have quite a few more images to share of this particular Rough-legged Hawk and I hope to do that someday soon. This bird really made my day.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Rough-legged Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
Wow! That last shot! Amazing!
How very, very beautiful.
LOVE that triumphant landing with the wings/arms over the head.
Well, it figures. It’s Christmas-time and your gifts to us keep on coming. Along with detail and composition, I have always loved how you capture the eyes of your subjects. These pics are a case in point…wild and beautiful with terrific movement and depth. To quote Dick Enberg, “Oh my!”
Thanks Mia.
lovely photos. I need to get out too. Between catching every virus blown my way and the lack of snow this year, I have the dull drums. Your photos give me hope the great outdoors is still available.
Great pictures of a beautiful raptor! Hope the new year is filled with many more. I look forward to your posts every day. Merry Christmas! John
Wonderful images. We almost never see these buteos down here in southern Arizona. The species is one of my Holy Grail birds. I keep following reports of sightings, but with no success after years of looking.