Ferruginous Hawk bathed in bright morning light – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/400, ISO 320, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I took this photo of a Ferruginous Hawk bathed in bright morning light back in October while I was out driving on dirt roads of the West Desert of Utah. There is nothing “super” special about this photo of a hawk perched on a wooden fence post except to me.
I watched this Ferruginous Hawk and the setting Hunter’s Moon at the same time that morning. It was quiet, peaceful, and I had this handsome raptor all to myself for a bit as I focused on it and the moon as it dipped lower and lower on the horizon. I was able to photograph this bird of prey in low light conditions then in a few moments the morning light bathed the bird in brighter morning light.
It just felt great to be there in that moment with this very calm and relaxed Ferruginous Hawk. The kind of feeling where you take a deep breath and smile because it feels so right. Knowing with every fiber of my being that I belonged out in the desert, feeling the cool air, watching the moon set over the mountains, doing what I love and sharing it with a wild, feathered thing.
So, yes, it is just another bird on a stick photo but it is so much more to me.
Life is good.
Mia
Three frames after this photo was taken I had to move my Jeep to the side of the road because there was another vehicle coming down the road. I missed photographing the young raptor taking off into the sky but that is okay. I watched it take off through my windshield.
Click here to see more of my Ferruginous Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
I know that feeling you described so well—a wonderful feeling nature can give us at times.
I appreciate your ability to describe why some of us think getting up very early, driving where there are no people and just looking at nature is very fulfilling, Mia.
I’m with Marty. Beautiful photo and an amazingly fulfilling experience it seems.
Thank you, Mia, for your wonderful description of relaxing into that moment with Nature. I can visualize the scene, and almost feel the calmness. Beautiful. May our planet and the beauty we have around us always be appreciated.
I am echoing Marty. Again.
I’d be more than happy to spend a few moments with this “bird on a stick.”