Adult male Rough-legged Hawk perched in a Russian Olive tree – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2000, ISO 500, +1.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Ten days ago I found and photographed this adult male Rough-legged Hawk as it perched on a Russian Olive tree at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge when I was heading home. While I wish that he had been closer I was delighted to see him because I see more female and immature Rough-legged Hawks than I do adult males here in northern Utah.
When I see adult male Rough-legged Hawks I get excited and do my best to get them in my viewfinder.
High Key adult male Rough-legged Hawk in flight – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Three years ago I was happy to spot a male Rough-legged Hawk in flight in far northern Utah. At first the male was in front of a plain blue sky and I took several photos of it. Then he flew in front of a cloud and and I knew I could take a few high key images of him as he flew past me.
When I first started focusing on and photographing Rough-legged Hawks I struggled a bit with sexing and aging them but over time and with experience it has gotten much easier to identify the sex of the adult birds even though there is some variation in their plumage.
Adult male Rough-legged Hawk perched on a stump in a marsh – Nikon D810, f9, 1/320, ISO 250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I photographed this adult male Rough-legged Hawk at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge five years ago. I found it perched on a stump in the frosty marsh as I was leaving the auto tour route. This male preened, roused, pooped and posed before he took off across the river. He was my best bird of that day on that chilly morning. My fingers got numb because it was so cold that day but he was worth it.
I’m hoping to find, focus on and to photograph more adult male Rough-legged Hawks this winter along with immature and female birds. I think that when we finally get snow that actually sticks around my chances for that will increase.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Rough-legged Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
Very Nice shots.
Wow, as always your images are a joy to see. It’s good to read about your experiences with photographing and identifying birds. You are always so helpful and informative. Thank you, Mia!
Outstanding photographs!
I’ve seen a few Rough-legged Hawks but have never been able to get an image of one. Sigh. Thank you for, once again, providing some vicarious satisfaction.
(Pssst. If you need a Fort De Soto Fix, cruise over to the website. Still trying to get sand outta the tripod.)
I hope you get many, many more chances to see and capture their beauty too. I hope it for you, and for us.
One of my favorite hawks, just beautiful shots Mia!!