Rough legged Hawk

Gallery: AvianPosted February 16, 2011241 views11 comments

Been chasing these guys several times in the last few weeks. Most seem to have a 500yard no trespassing zone. A step closer and they're gone. Oddly enough I wasn't looking for Rough Legs this morning, but spent maybe 4-5 hours in a quinzhee built near a road killed deer waiting for Bald Eagles. I had as many as four eagles circling, perching behind me, above me, and on a distant Spruce. But they just didn't like the black barrel peeking from the snowbank. They never came into perch or feed.

Was about to pack it in when this fella showed up. I didn't realize they would feed on carion. Either way, after chasing them, they came to me for once.

D300, ISO 200, 600mm @ f/5.6 for 1/800sec, -2/3EV

Comments

11 comments

Comment posted by David Haynes on February 17, 2011 at 1:00 AM

Ryan,
Great story. It seems that the best shots we get are the unexpected ones. I know exactly what you mean about the no trespassing zone. Notoriously difficult to get near. Great wing pose and eye contact. Wish you had posted a larger version for a closer look see. Thanks for sharing your story.

Registered on February 20, 2010, 110 Posts, 1511 Comments

Comment posted by Balan Vinod on February 17, 2011 at 1:32 AM

Beautiful image Ryan, Love the perch, the light and subtle colors. The comp is outstanding too ..well done

Balan Vinod

Registered on March 20, 2006, 889 Posts, 2312 Comments

Comment posted by Angela McCain on February 17, 2011 at 6:16 AM

Nice image. Sounds like you worked for it. I like the light accenting his head and would love to see a larger post for detail.

Registered on April 19, 2009, 367 Posts, 3589 Comments

Comment posted by antino cervigni on February 17, 2011 at 8:07 AM

Great capture, wonderful work... Regards
Antino

Registered on April 17, 2010, 70 Posts, 202 Comments

Comment posted by Fabio Giarrizzo on February 17, 2011 at 8:55 AM

Great shot- Excellent pose, details and composition- Well done, fabio

Registered on December 3, 2010, 90 Posts, 1614 Comments

Comment posted by Soubhik Patranabis on February 17, 2011 at 12:19 PM

Great capture and thanks for sharing your story ..

Registered on January 25, 2010, 54 Posts, 610 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on February 17, 2011 at 5:27 PM

Rough-legs move through interior Alaska in spring migration, and my experience is the same as yours: they are extremely skittish in comparison to say, a Red-tailed or a Bald Eagle. You made very good use of the opportunity you got.

PS. I see Rough-legs on carrion all the time up here... Even road-kill.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by keith mitchell on February 18, 2011 at 3:58 PM

Well worth the wait Ryan the bird really stands out against the dark bg ,excellent image.
Keith.

Registered on July 12, 2008, 127 Posts, 1735 Comments

Comment posted by Gary Gulash on February 20, 2011 at 1:20 AM

Very different wing position than used to seeing with most raptor photos. I like the low key feel punctuated by the white windows on the wings!

Registered on January 28, 2005, 879 Posts, 12098 Comments

Comment posted by Jenaya Launstein on February 25, 2011 at 10:00 PM

Nice seperation from the background and I really like the colors. He gave you an awesome pose! Great timing!

Registered on February 8, 2011, 254 Posts, 1302 Comments

Comment posted by Mohammad Hosseini on June 5, 2011 at 12:51 PM

Ryan, Very nice capture. Snow shelter obviously helped.

Registered on May 16, 2011, 15 Posts, 301 Comments