Head on stare from a Rough-legged Hawk in the snow – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 800, +2.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I saw a Facebook post by Neil Paprocki yesterday that said some of the Rough-legged Hawks that have tracking devices on them have started to migrate south from their breeding grounds in the Arctic and that got me excited because I love to observe and photograph them while they are here in northern Utah.
I didn’t see or photograph as many Rough-legged Hawks last winter as I have in previous years but I did have a close up, extraordinary experience with one who was expelling a pellet on a snowy, foggy day at Bear River MBR.
I had driven to the refuge on a cold February morning through snow squalls because on radar/satellite images it looked like there might be good light at the refuge at some point in the morning but I was met with fog, lightly falling snow, thick clouds and even though my hopes were dashed for good light I was excited because I actually like testing my photographic skills in less than ideal conditions and all I needed was one cooperative subject.
When I came across this Rough-legged Hawk on the auto tour route it was getting ready to throw a pellet so I parked my Jeep and waited for the hawk to do what it needed to do. I took several hundred images of the Roughy and I loved the way they turned out. I’d never been this close to a Rough-legged Hawk before and I wanted to make the most of the experience despite the low light, white background and the freezing temps that numbed my hands. It was just the hawk and me, the refuge was so quiet I could hear the snow landing on the hood of my Jeep.
I love this head on stare that I seemed to be getting from the hawk as it prepared to expel the pellet.
Low light Rough-legged Hawk with wide open beak – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 800, +2.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
In this photo what I liked was the open beak, the view of the hawk’s tongue and the strand of saliva that is visible near the bird’s gape. The white background I had in all the images I took that morning put the focus entirely on the hawk and I love that.
I was thrilled by the uniquely intimate encounter I had with this Rough-legged Hawk and the photos I took of it on that snowy February morning. I waited in my Jeep until the beautiful raptor lifted off on his own and flew away before heading down the road.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Rough-legged Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
Wow! These pics are real showstoppers! Stark, vivid, and incredibly powerful. Thanks Mia.
I had a smile on my face as you mentioned a pellet shot, it has been a while. It is one way to capture them being still. I have seen “Roughies” flying low and find them a joy to watch. Thanks for the close-ups, Mia, they are beautiful images.
I agree with EC — Absolutely stunning shots of the Roughie against the white-out behind.
Beautiful with the white background. Except for the small beak they look similar to ferruginous.
ABSOLUTELY stunning. Nothing but the bird, the exquisitely beautiful bird.
Really a beautiful raptor! I really like the fact that you publish your EV’s. It tells how you have to compensate for various conditions. Thanks!
WOW! One of my favorite hawks, beautiful shots!