Rough-legged Hawks Come In A Variety Of Colors
Jan 17, 2022 11:24:26 #
Was able to photograph a few of their color paterns in northern Utah yesterday. Their variety of color schemes, small talons and a compartively small beak distinguish them from other varietyies of large hawks. These small features are "adaptive" from primarily preying on small lemmings in their summer tundra habitat breeding territory. Rough-legged hawks are winter residents in Utah where they feed on small prey such as voles and mice.
It was very cold in the morning, low 20*s, and the hawks would let me approach closer than usual rather than fly off. A hindrance was the excess moisture in the air from melting snow that was visible through the lens when photographing the hawks creating, at times, strange artifacts. Still, it was actually a red letter day for raptors as I was able to photograph a Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, the very elusive Merlin falcon, and a gorgeous dark morph ferruginous Red-tail hawk.
It was very cold in the morning, low 20*s, and the hawks would let me approach closer than usual rather than fly off. A hindrance was the excess moisture in the air from melting snow that was visible through the lens when photographing the hawks creating, at times, strange artifacts. Still, it was actually a red letter day for raptors as I was able to photograph a Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, the very elusive Merlin falcon, and a gorgeous dark morph ferruginous Red-tail hawk.
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Just for grins, some blurry take-off photos
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Jan 17, 2022 12:49:40 #
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Jan 17, 2022 16:52:29 #
jederick wrote:
Was able to photograph a few of their color patern... (show quote)
A mighty fine series of shots
Jan 17, 2022 19:25:57 #
Jan 17, 2022 22:02:35 #
Jan 17, 2022 22:03:08 #
Jan 17, 2022 22:05:13 #
UTMike wrote:
Excellent set, Jim! What a great day you had. Bear River?
Thanks, Mike...no, out past Corrine on the way to ATK and continuing on the way up to I-84 heading to Snowville.
Jan 17, 2022 22:05:40 #
angler wrote:
Excellent set Jederick.
Many thanks, Jim...appreciate youu stopping by!!
Jan 17, 2022 22:06:12 #
joecichjr wrote:
A mighty fine series of shots
Thank you, Joe...it was a good day for raptors!!
Jan 17, 2022 22:06:49 #
Cwilson341 wrote:
Excellent photography, Jederick!
Thank you very much, Carol, I appreciate your comment!!
Jan 18, 2022 06:22:52 #
Jan 18, 2022 08:00:23 #
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