Hunter’s Moon over the West Desert – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I was out in the West Desert yesterday morning and the first photos I took were of the setting Hunter’s Moon. I raced to a spot where I could pull over, sit in my Jeep and take images of the full moon. Even though the sky was clear of clouds to the west there was a haze caused by a marine layer that developed over the Great Salt Lake that created a touch of softness in my moon photos.
Ferruginous Hawk in pre-dawn light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/160, ISO 1000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The first bird photos that I took yesterday morning in the desert were of a Ferruginous Hawk perched on a fence post in pre-dawn light. The light was low enough that I started off at ISO 1000. The cool tones of the pre-dawn light were soon to be replaced by the golden light of dawn.
This image was taken at 8:04 am.
Ferruginous Hawk and encroaching dawn light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/200, ISO 1000, +1.0 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Dawn light can hit the mountains and foothills in the west before it reaches my subjects at times when the sun has to rise over mountains in the east. In this photo the sunlight had already lit up the foothills behind the Ferruginous Hawk yet the warm light of the sun still hadn’t reached the hawk.
This photo was taken at 8:05 am. The changing light of dawn happens rapidly!
Ferruginous Hawk kissed by the light of dawn – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 640, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The golden light of dawn had just barely kissed the the feathers of this handsome Ferruginous Hawk in this image. I dialed back my ISO so that more fine details could be seen in my images.
Time: 8:07 am.
Dawn and a Ferruginous Hawk on a fence post – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Just seconds later and the Ferruginous Hawk appeared to glow against the sunlit foothills in the background.
Ferruginous Hawk in the golden light of sun rise – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
At 8:08 am the rising sun lit up the Ferruginous Hawk. Everything around me was bathed in warm, golden light. I took photo after photo of the large raptor perched on the wooden fence post.
Staring Ferruginous Hawk at sun rise – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 320, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Then at 8:09 am a thin cloud passed over the sun and the intense golden light seemed to disappear. I still had wonderful light, it just wasn’t quite as golden.
By this time I had set my ISO at 320 and the details in the full resolution image of this hawk are wonderful.
Ferruginous Hawk on a fence post at sun rise – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 320, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
As I photographed the Ferruginous Hawk in the light of dawn I noticed a vehicle coming down the road from the opposite direction and I had to start my Jeep and pull over so that vehicle could pass by me and the hawk. Moving my Jeep didn’t cause the hawk to fly but the other vehicle did when it went past me. I couldn’t photograph the hawk lifting off but I watched it take flight.
This Ferruginous Hawk may or may not be one of the three Ferruginous Hawks that I have found in this same area over the past month. I found a second Ferruginous Hawk not too far from this one but was not able to photograph it because it was actively hunting on the wrong side of my Jeep.
After I photographed this Ferruginous Hawk I enjoyed a quiet morning driving back roads and looking for birds.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Ferruginous Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
Great pictures, thanks for sharing 🙏
One of the most beautiful things I’ve ever seen was a Ferruginous coming up out of the gloom just at sunset, spiraling up until it caught the last rays of the sun. Just a staggeringly beautiful moment.
I love seeing the difference just a very few minutes make with lighting & coloration…..so instructive….along with great photos of a beautiful bird.
Love the moon shot. The detail you captured is amazing. As for the Hawk pics…just wonderful. The eye contact is extraordinary. Thanks Mia.
Beautiful. I am endlessly fascinated by just how fast the light can change.
Great series! Light is amazing how it effects photography!
Gorgeous! Thank you for showing the changes in the light over such a short period of time. The moon shot is extra-fabulous and I also especially like the last shot with the hawk looking at you because it is so unusual.
I love the sharpness of the later shots but the cool colours of the first shot speak to me more even if the poor light renders it less sharp than the later ones. All though are simply gorgeous shots. What a magnificent creature.
What a great series!
Absolutely beautiful shots, including hte moon!!