Immature light morph Rough-legged Hawk portrait – Nikon D500, f9, 1/320, ISO 250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I had five minutes of bird bliss yesterday morning at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge when I was able to take immature light morph Rough-legged Hawk portraits. I came across this young Rough-legged Hawk perched on one of the plastic markers that can be found along the auto tour route. It was about 16°F at the time so the hawk was sticky and still covered with a light coating of frost.
These photos more than make up for the portraits I missed taking last month of another or possibly the same light morph Rough-legged Hawk due to circumstances beyond my control. I was and am over the moon elated that I was able to take these images yesterday morning.
Because I had time and a cooperative subject I dialed my ISO to a low number to get as much fine feather detail as possible. I am delighted that I did because the full resolution images are chock full of exquisite details.
Immature light morph Rough-legged Hawk close up – Nikon D500, f9, 1/320, ISO 250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
For five minutes it was just this young bird of prey and me on the marsh. I could feel the cold air, hear Tundra Swans calling in the distance and see the beauty of the wetlands surrounding me and this hawk.
It was a beautiful morning at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. I drove around the auto tour loop at a very relaxed pace spotting birds, photographing them and taking in the views. The trip to the refuge and the peace and quiet I found there was precisely what I needed.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Rough-legged Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
Wow!!! These pics are absolutely stunning! In my world – shots like these are… “the stuff that dreams are made of.” Thanks Mia.
Spectacular!
👍👏👍❤️
WOW.
I had luck with a Ruffy out there yesterday myself. I had to go back and check to make sure it wasn’t the same bird, but mine has a dark eye like your bird in the lower left photo. I like the eye on your youngn’ much better!
Simply outstanding, Mia!
With that shutter speed, were you supporting the lens (the “noodle”?) somehow to achieve such superb detail? Lately (okay a couple of yeas now), my old hands are beginning to shout “tripod” a lot.
What a beautiful raptor portrait!
Bird bliss indeed – thanks for sharing!