I’m a big history buff, especially of English, Utah and family history. And I include the history of my own bird photography in that list for very good reason. Knowing where and when I’ve photographed birds in the past can be a good predictor of success (or failure) in the present and future so I often review older images to see what birds I photographed, and where I encountered them, on the same date in previous years. The practice isn’t infallible but it’s accurate enough that I use it regularly.
I had such a review session last night and decided to post two raptor images taken on today’s date in previous years.
1/1600, f/5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this male Northern Harrier five years ago today at Farmington WMA. Though at first glance (because of the hanging legs) the bird may appear to have just taken off, it hadn’t. It was hunting low and slow and when they do that they often hang their legs down like this. He just happened to give me a glance with those lemon-yellow eyes when I pushed the shutter. I’ve posted other images of this bird previously.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS USM, not baited, set up or called in
This image of a Rough-legged Hawk, taken four years ago today, was also photographed at Farmington. This bird had just taken off after eating a vole on the ground. The head is turned slightly away from me but because of the positions of the pupil and catch light it gives the appearance that the hawk is giving me a furtive and wary sideways look out of the corner of its eye.
When these birds are on their northern breeding grounds they’re quite vocal but after migrating south wintering birds are silent. I’ve never heard a Rough-legged Hawk make a sound so I’m curious to know if any of my readers have heard their voice while the birds were wintering “down south”. Any feedback on that?
Ok, back to my bird photography history. Partly based on my research last night (and these two images), if the incoming clouds hold off long enough I’ll likely be heading to Farmington this morning. Maybe I’ll get lucky with a Gray Ghost (male Northern Harrier) or a Rough-legged Hawk…
Ron
Ron,
Really wonderful shots!
Thanks,
Linda
Killer clicks as usual Ron. Nope, I’ve never heard a peep out of a Roughie. Hope good fortune looked down upon you on your FB trip. I saw a few GG’s there on Sunday, but got shut out on tundra birds.
Thanks, Mike. If you’ve never heard a roughie down here on their wintering grounds I doubt anyone has.
Good luck today.
I am a late convert to history (at school it was taught as rulers and battles). Late, but very, very enthusiastic.
Gorgeous shots.
Thanks, Jean.
Both beautiful shots. Every time I see one of your Gray Ghost shots it becomes more clear why you are so drawn to them. Not sure I’ve ever seen a male, but have definitely seen females around Hueco Tanks on occasion. I also like Linda’s observation about the bird head hidden in the wing of the Roughie. I think that ‘bird’ is also giving you a look… 🙂 Hope you had good luck with your shooting today.
The adult males are so very distinctive that I don’t think you’d have forgotten a sighting of one, Susan. I adore photographing them but I love all harriers (as is obvious from my HARRIER vanity plates).
We’re starting to see Northern Harriers on most of our trips now as they filter in for the winter. Hopefully, I’ll be privileged enough to get a digital image.
I’ve never seen a Rough-legged Hawk.
I understand your “historical” approach and totally agree that it can work. It’s sort of like my favorite fishing lure. Other baits may be more productive but I have a high “confidence” level in the lure due to my history of success with it.
All the best at Farmington!
We have harriers year round, Wally, but numbers (and opportunities with them) sure go up in the winter.
I glanced, without my glasses, at the roughie….and the bend in the wing looks like a bird head! See what I mean? Then I saw the “real” head below!
Linda–You are so observant! It looks just like an osprey…a real Bev Doolittle camoflaged, hidden image art piece!!! Love it!!!
I enjoyed your reference to Doolittle, Patty. I have one of her prints hanging in a bathroom (of all places…).
You’re right, Linda. I hadn’t noticed before. Good eye!
Incredible shots Ron!! Are most of your birds of prey shots photographed from a blind, vehicle or just out and about in the field?
Thanks, Anne. More than 95% of my images, including raptor shots, are taken from my pickup. A vehicle makes an excellent mobile blind.
Just lovely Ron. I love waking to your photographic delights every morning. What a blessing! Wouldn’t it be great if more people developed a keen historical perspective on a lot of issues?
That would be great Laura, can you imagine what life would be like if history didn’t repeat itself every 50-100 years of sooner?
And I love that you love waking to them, Laura.
Regarding history – I didn’t have much appreciation for it until later in life but I’m sure making up for lost ground now!
“…winter brings new and interesting photographic chances” as Dick says…for me, it’s “observational chances” and the welcomed return of some old favorites. I have a decent, user friendly camera(one that has better vision and is a lot smarter than I am) but I am no phototechy…Good luck with your theory…Hope it works out.
My “theory” didn’t work this time, Patty. But often it does.
Excellent shots, I hope you will be lucky!
We had a Gray Ghost here this past week, but I have to go a few miles if I want a glimpse of Roughies. Rough-legged Hawks visit VT during the winter, and you are correct – never have I heard them utter a cry or note when watching them.
However, we already have Snowy Owls in our vicinity, and some feel this will be like 2013 when we had a large influx of Snowy’s in our area. So, as we are hoping you will be successful with Harriers and Roughies, I am hopeful of finding a Snowy on a telephone pole close to the road. Whatever the case winter brings new and interesting photographic chances!
Lucky I wasn’t, Dick. The clouds came in early and I didn’t find many birds at all. I haven’t yet reviewed the few images I did take but I suspect I was bird-skunked. Did find another interesting looking buck Mule Deer though…
Wonderful shots Ron!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.
Great photo’s, Ron. We time some of the season’s here by the birds coming and going tho, other than more eagles than usual in the fall, we haven’t paid much attention to raptors – except when they are hanging around looking for chicken! 🙂 Good luck this morning.
Ha, I think there’s more than one hawk species that’s deserving of the moniker “chicken hawk”, Judy…
No question about that! 🙂 EVERYTHING likes chicken.
Ron, The Harrier capture is glorious!! What an exquisite hawk with beautiful shades of gray. The rough-legged Hawk, while being a beautiful raptor made me laugh because of the eye – talk about giving you the “evil” eye. Just love these two. Good luck out in the field today!!
Yeah, that eye on the roughie is a little disconcerting, Jo Ann. I still enjoy it though…
Beautiful portraits of these two beautiful birds! Good Luck today!
Thanks on both counts, Nancy.