This might be the most handsome Ferruginous Hawk I’ve ever had in my viewfinder. Usually I have to go to Montana to have much of a chance with this species but yesterday morning I photographed this one in Tooele County, Utah.
1/3200, f/6.3, ISO 320, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
I was driving at a pretty good clip when I passed the bird perched on a hilltop to my right at a perfect distance for takeoff/flight shots but it was on the wrong side of the damned road (aren’t they always?) so I had to turn around for it. Raptors that are perfectly calm when a vehicle passes by often spook when they see it turn around and come back for them so I drove quite a ways down the road before I did my U-turn. It took so long my heart was in my throat hoping the hawk would still be there. It was. This is one of the shots I got soon after it eventually took off.
Even while perched this was a stunningly handsome bird. For the species there’s nothing remarkable about its plumage but the hawk was in great morning light, the dark mountains in the background set it off wonderfully, the bird was always in profile to me and its feathers seemed so perfect and fresh that I actually remarked out loud about how beautiful it was.
I got quite a few shots of the hawk both perched and in flight and I plan to post a series of them soon but yesterday was an incredibly long and hectic day for me so I haven’t yet had time to review, cull and process those images.
I hope any Ferruginous Hawk aficionados among my readers will stay tuned…
Ron
Absolutely beautiful Ron. Looking forward to more!
Beautiful.
My comment is probably too late for you to see since you are out on the ‘trail’ at 4am, but I’ll still write it. This photo is so marvelous with the wing feathers looking radiant. You should be proud to have captured this beautiful hawk.
I, like others, am anxious to see your other photos, although, in my mind, it would be hard to match this one.
Thank you, Ron.
Ferruginous Hawks are one of the many raptors I’ve not had a chance to get acquainted with, but seeing this spectacular specimen makes me hungry for more. Bring on the series of photos!!
Ron,
a great shot image – one of my favourites in recent posts. Keep up the good work.
Thanks, Gary.
I am happy for you…very beautiful photo and bird. A little jealous too, but not in a bad way. This was the one bird I didn’t get in all of my trips to Arizona. We live to shoot another day… Well done and thanks for sharing. Looking forward to your future posts of this stunning raptor.
I know that jealousy feeling, Zaphir. I’ve seen some of your AZ photos. Thank you.
Love this shot!
🙂
Oooh. And ahhh.
A perfect moment, frozen in time…
Thanks, EC.
Spectacular bird & photo. Even this Red-tailed Hawk aficionado can’t wait to see more!
Thanks, Chris. Don’t worry, there’ll be more Red-tailed photos coming soon.
This, along with Mia’s wonderful series of the same hawk, are images of one of the most t beautiful birds I remember seeing….
Thank you, Patty.
Beautiful bird nice it stayed for you. My daughters favorite bird, in fact she reminds me of a Ferruginous hawk. High strung, not very trusting of others and to the point.
Yup, that describes them well, April.
I love your description of how it seemed to “glow in that fresh, bright plumage… in that light against those dark mountains.” Those magical moments stay with us. Thanks for sharing this wildness with us!
Those words describe perfectly what I saw, Alison. I’m glad you appreciated them.
WOW! Spectacular!
Thank you, Steve.
You perfectly captured the beauty!
Thanks, Elmer.
I can’t look at most of your shots without contemplating how I would carve the bird. Most of the time that is simply a mind game in my head. Not this one! Those wings are actually gorgeous and I can visualize the ultra hard job of carving the wing feathers and curving those primaries! What a sight to behold! Now, if I can only come up with a way to attach it to something, like a twig, no that would take away from it. Or, pushing away from a rock? Got to think of something, we’ll see – Oh well, still a beautiful sight, great shot! Can’t wait for more shots of this bird!!
Dick..you might check Mia’s series, too…for inspiration., if you haven’t already…she has some wonderful shotsc of this gorgeous bird….
Dick, If you carve it I want a photo! I’ll give you some exposure here on Feathered Photography! 🙂
Ron, if I carve any bird by using your photos it goes without saying you will have several pictures. I’m just trying to think how I would engineer this carving so that it would look good!
Nice of you to grant exposure – but please understand if I do this it is for the pure joy in creating this bird out of wood, NOT to make anything from it. But, Thank You!
Wow, spectacular image of a fabulous bird– these hawks evoke some real strong emotions for me–I feel like I’m being called out West when I see a photo like this, especially one of yours! Thank you for sharing; so looking forward to the series 😉
I suspect my emotions about them are similar to yours, Christine – at least in some ways. Thank you.
AWESOME PERFECTION RON!!!!
Charlotte
Thanks, Charlotte.
The power and grace of this are captured beautifully.
Thank you, Arwen.
Beautiful bird and wonderfully photographed. Look forward to seeing the rest of the series. Headed to SW Montana in a little over a week. Ruby Valley area for the most part but perhaps get down to the Centennial Valley as well. We are a little early this year in that we will be going to the Galapagos in August, so my wife Laurie needs her fly fishing fix before we head to S. America. Me: love to fish, but am looking forward to chasing anything that has wings. Again, thanks for your posts Ron. On my 2nd cup of coffee.
I’m jealous of your destination, Frank. I hope to get up there soon.
This is definitely an “Ooh! Aahh!” shot! Absolutely stunning! And I think I’d have to disagree with you — the patterns in his plumage are most remarkable, indeed. I’m totally drawn in by all the markings that are illuminated so perfectly, as well as by the ultra curl of the first couple of primaries on the right wing.
Here’s hoping for a calm day soon because I really want to see more of this bird! 🙂
Thank you, Marty. By “nothing remarkable about its plumage” I just meant that it was a normally colored bird. I should have been more clear.
I suspect I’ll be posting more shots of this bird within the next few days.
Uh oh — someone might think I’m an English teacher. 😉 How wrong they’d be!
Beautiful! Couldn’t have asked for a more perfect setting for a beautiful bird! It’s plumage certainly does seem to be in prime condition.:)Sounds like it was worth just watching besides getting the photos.
Judy, This bird’s feathers seemed to be in prime condition and it was quite a sight in that light with the dark background.
I’m one!! Love the picture and the bird .. the one ferruginous nest I’m familiar with is back and has 3 babies .. I don’t have any remarkable pictures of them .. because mine( you know ) are not used to people or vehicles . Very isolated area .
Good! I’m always happy to hear about a productive Ferrug nest.
Yes, Ron, those are absolutely beautiful feathers. One wonders how in evolution those colors and patterns came to be. Thank you for taking us on these journeys with you. Elizabeth
Elizabeth, You should have seen this bird in that light against those dark mountains. It actually seemed to glow in that fresh, bright plumage.