With and without the nictitating membrane showing.
Yawning immature light morph Rough-legged Hawk with nictitating membrane showing – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
This is the same immature light morph Rough-legged Hawk that I shared portraits of two days ago that were taken at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. These images were taken before I got close enough to take my portraits of this young bird of prey. I like these photos because they showed the Rough-legged Hawk yawning and in this first photo how it showed the nictitating membrane completely covering the eye of the immature hawk.
Yawning immature light morph Rough-legged Hawk with nictitating membrane inset – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
I decided that I should do an inset of the nictitating membrane covering the eye of the Rough-legged Hawk so it could been seen a bit larger than the first photo I shared above. This image also shows the inside of the bill of the hawk nicely.
The nictitating membrane clears debris, moisturizes and protects the eyes of birds from external damage. I have seen the nictitating membrane of yawning birds many times.
In the inset I can just make out the pupil of this hawk’s eye.
Yawning immature light morph Rough-legged Hawk – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light, not baited
The next frame in the series of images I took does not show the nictitating membrane at all. There was only the one image where it appeared.
It is almost the middle of February and that has me thinking that I need to get as many Rough-legged Hawks photos as I can because in just a few weeks these arctic breeding hawks will so be on the wing to their breeding grounds.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Rough-legged Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
Very, very interesting shots and narrative. Thanks Mia.
Hi Mia,
I’m really enjoying all the photos you’ve been sharing of Rough-legged Hawk the past few weeks…you’ve been taking quite a lot this winter. I noticed as you did that you could vaguely see the pupil through the nictitating membrane, and wonder how much they can see through it from their side.
Roughies, especially the beautiful light-morphs are one of my favourite birds and one that I look forward to seeing every winter here in south-western Ontario (near London, and about 2 hours drive east of Detroit). The country here is fairly flat farmland with lots of woodlots, and the Roughies are regular northern visitors here every January and February, along with Snowy Owls and a few Golden Eagles…they all seem to like cruising the open fields of this area.
I know I’m not the first one to compliment you on your wonderful shots and commentaries – thanks so much for sharing your love of nature…
Rob Turner,
London Ontario
Downright fascinating. My susceptible self started to yawn when I read your post title, and is yawning still.
Neat photo. Yes the Tundra Swans were moving north from Farmington Bay in mass last night at sunset.
Gee, that first shot made me yawn, too!