Ferruginous Hawk pooping- Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I’m surprised I haven’t shared this image of a Ferruginous Hawk lightening its load just prior to lift off before now. The photo was taken almost two years ago in the West Desert of Utah near some farm land while I waited and waited for the hawk to lift off to get some flight shots.
Hawks will often defecate just before they lift off and that is what happened when I was with this handsome Ferruginous Hawk only in this case the bird turned its back to me when it lifted off so I didn’t get the flight shots I wanted so badly. That happens frequently when you are a bird photographer.
But I loved the painterly background, the falling poop and the early morning light on the hawk. I don’t see nearly as many Ferruginous Hawks as I would like to so I am always glad when I have one in my viewfinder that I can photograph even if it is taking a dump.
Morning weather September 17, 2019
I’m an early riser and I am usually awake before my alarm even goes off but this morning I was startled awake by the crashing of thunder that sounded like the storm was inside my bedroom. It was so loud that even my bed was shaking. I haven’t had that happen in a very long time. It might have even been when I lived in Florida during hurricane season since there was thunder so loud and so close that it woke me from a sound sleep. This morning the thunder happened right before my alarm clock was set to go off so I got out of bed to look out the window to see if it was raining too and it was.
Hopefully it is also raining on the Francis fire north of Salt Lake City that started yesterday and will help to put that fire out.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Ferruginous Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
Such a beauty. We do not get them here in the east, but I saw them often when I lived in AZ. That’s quite the image you captured there! Thanks for the hawk facts. I had no idea they lived that long.
Oh, I hope the airline executives don’t see this as they may start imposing a surcharge for any passenger who boards before making a quick stop at the loo!
Great shot!
I did not know they laid up to 8 eggs. That is a lot of hungry mouths.
Fingers crossed the rain does put out the fire.l
Birds are not the only ones who make a bathroom stop immediately before heading out. Fortunately there are no photographers at mine.
Bombs away! Perfect timing…and a great pic. Thanks Mia.
Better out than in! 😉 Gorgeous shot — poop or not. Glad you guys are getting some rain.
Oh great, you get a good chance to take a nice picture and then something like that happens! I get wonderful pictures of my dog doing that. lol