Adult male light morph Rough-legged Hawk in the Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
Yesterday I photographed a light morph adult male Rough-legged Hawk perched in a tree in the Wasatch Mountains. Other than a distant Bald Eagle this was really my only bird subject that was close enough to take images of. I found other birds. They were simply too far away.
I loved the light colored branches of the tree, the darker leaf buds, the pose of the hawk, and having the snow covered Wasatch Mountain peaks in the background.
Male Rough-legged Hawk in the snowy Wasatch Mountains – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I don’t often see Rough-legged Hawks up in the mountains at such high elevations but this location had the open grassy fields that Rough-legged Hawks prefer to hunt in so I don’t think this specific spot would be considered all that unusual to find this species in.
This photo and the one above are my favorite images of the male Rough-legged Hawk from yesterday. I find the snowy mountain peak background of both images visually interesting and aesthetically appealing.
Male Rough-legged Hawk in Summit County – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
In a second spot which was closer to the Rough-legged Hawk what I had in the background was plain blue sky. Despite the hawk filling the frame more I don’t find the images of the Rough-legged Hawk with the blue sky in the background nearly as appealing or as visually interesting. Your tastes may vary.
I didn’t see as many Bald Eagles as I would have expected to find in the mountains at this time of the year yesterday. With our strange and at times warmer than normal winter so far I expect that migrant Bald Eagles are probably in a holding pattern further north for the time being.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Rough-legged Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
I am with you on ‘preferred’ shot – but both are beautiful.
I love large birds and feel so lucky to see a hawk, cormorant, heron or eagle myself or via a blog such as yours. Their line, form, and big bird stillness makes them a favourite for me as observer or photographer. The one time I hate to see them is in my backyard, dining on one of my regular visitors, (until I remember that they too need to eat). You are lucky to have a place to see them in a less conflicted setting.
Absolutely Beautiful! Great shots!!