It’s been four years since I photographed this gorgeous male Rough-legged Hawk as he surveyed the foothills of the Stansbury Mountains in Utah’s West Desert.
Male Rough-legged Hawk in the West Desert of Utah
Then…
I spotted him from a good distance away and I was happy that he was sticky enough to wait around until was close enough to photograph him.
The gnarly juniper fence post seemed like the perfect perch for him. There was also some snow on the foothills behind him and the morning light illuminated him nicely.
I wrote about him the very next day and told the story behind the images I shared that day: West Desert Male Rough-legged Hawk
In what I wrote, I said I’d share more photos of him later, and today I’m sharing one more. He was such a beautiful hawk, and the West Desert setting was delightful. Plus, his lift off from that perch was picture perfect.
And Now..
I’ve seen Rough-legged Hawks since I moved away from Utah last year—at the Joseph H. Williams Tallgrass Prairie Preserve in Osage County, Oklahoma. I just wasn’t able to take high-quality images of them because they were either too far away or in poor light.
Just knowing I won’t be entirely missing out on photographing this wandering Arctic-breeding hawk species puts a smile on my face.
Oh, and the only other North American buteo with feathered legs, Ferruginous Hawks, also show up in that area.
Life is good. Birds make it even better.
Mia
Click here to view more of my Rough-legged Hawk photos plus facts and information about this species.
As always, your Hawk pics light me up. This shot says it all. I never knew anything about Rough-Legged Hawks until I started following your wonderful posts back in June 2016. My knowledge of birds and wildlife has expanded a thousand fold because of you. It’s been quite a ride hasn’t it? Thanks Mia.