Two days ago I found the dark morph ferrug for the 3rd time in the last 9 days.
1/4000, f/7.1, ISO 500, 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 must be addicted to this hawk because two days ago I made another trip to the area primarily just to look for “him.” He made himself scarce for most of the morning but just before I tucked my tail between my legs and headed for home I got lucky.
He was perched on a juniper fence post in an area where I couldn’t get particularly close to him but I was patient and eventually he took off so his huge wings filled enough of the frame to allow me a few photos I didn’t have to crop severely. I like the simplicity of the image that includes only the hawk, the post and the mottled blue and white background.
We have snow! It’s beautiful but it’s no fun to drive in. I attended a funeral at noon yesterday and the drive home during the storm was an adventure I don’t want to repeat anytime soon. By 5:30 p.m. the Utah Highway Patrol had investigated 270 vehicle accidents and many more occurred last evening. But with more snow in our forecast for much of Thanksgiving week I’m hoping the change in weather will bring more birds into the northern Utah valleys, raptors in particular.
For me hope springs eternal when it comes to birds.
Ron
Note: It’s my strict policy to not disclose locations of unusual birds. Or nesting birds during breeding season. Or resident owls. They don’t need the pressure.
You’re on a roll. Love this shot!
Thanks, Jean.
Love the spread of those right primaries. Good that he showed himself before you “tucked tail”.
I envy and don’t envy your snow, if you know what I mean.
Hope you have a safe, warm and happy Thanksgiving.
Thanks, Lyle. I have mixed feelings about snow too. But in the end I’d rather have it than not. Usually…
We are seeing severe winds up here in Rio Rancho. The belly of this hawk looks so red. Pretty bird. And I am so impressed by your ethics, professor!
Thankfully, no wind here. At least not yet. Wind blew 102 mph near my hometown in MT a few days ago. Sure glad I wasn’t there! Thanks, Arwen.
How I love your photography, and your ethics. It was the birds you post which first got me coming here but it is the photographer as well as the birds who keeps me coming back.
I hope that the weather and the birds are kind to you in the coming days/weeks/years.
And a Happy Thanksgiving to you.
Thanks for the very kind words, EC.
I wasn’t sure when you celebrated Thanksgiving in Australia so I looked it up – last Wednesday in November which would be tomorrow. Have a great one!
We don’t celebrate Thanksgiving here. It is celebrated in one external Territory (Norfolk Island) but not more generally.
And today IS Wednesday. Early (not yet dawn) but Wednesday.
Sheesh, I keep forgetting about that dramatic time difference.
Once again you have luck with finding the right bird or animal and get beautiful picture. I want to wish you and family a beautiful Thanksgiving.
I wish the same for you, Trudy.
Great shot, Ron! You know how much I love birdy diagonals! 🙂
I say, the fewer of my species ANYWHERE, the better!
Stay safe — the next two weeks look to be “ark weather” here in SoCal, so you’ll probably get a piece of those systems too.
Yup, we’re going to get your storm too, Marty. But ours will turn white when it gets here. Thanks.
‘I say, the fewer of my species ANYWHERE, the better!’
Hear, hear.
I LOVE your photography, but that should NOT surprise you! The images of the short-eared owl, the song sparrow, the coyote contemplating his/her reflection and, of course, this outrageously beautiful dark morph Ferrug are just delicious! Chances of me ever seeing a dark morph Ferrug are slim, at best, and probably closer to none. At the risk of being ridiculously redundant again, what a glorious way to begin each day!
Do NOT get me started about the intense harassment of snowy owls (and other wildlife) by humans who are “so damned selfish. And stupid.” In my world, you’re being far too kind. I will never divulge the location of a special sighting until at LEAST a week after if I share it at all. I don’t trust the bulk of humanity as far as I can throw them, and since I’m a handicapped old hag, that’s not very far!
A few days ago while out hunting with Jack, a prairie falcon buzzed us pretty darn low, but evidently she thought it weird that Jack was hanging out with silly two-leggeds and powered on along her way. A couple of minutes later, a Merlin also buzzed Jack and had the same kind of thoughts. She powered on along her way, too. That was special–and yes, I’m easily amused! 😉
Wishing you a blessed and joyous Thanksgiving!
Thanks very much, Laura. I don’t see Merlins very often but I did see one a day or two ago – on a sign as I drove by on a paved road of course.
So glad you keep finding this beautiful bird ….or is he finding you 😁
I saw a post of a light morph the other day also a beauty. Let the morphs keep a coming ❤️
Nope, I’m finding him, Diana. Some days he just doesn’t want to be found.
Beautiful! 🙂 Glad he cooperated again……. 😉 We have snow starting this morning – nothing serious yet – that’s supposed to start tonight into Thanksgiving. Have to hit town so “hoping” it isn’t too slick. The snowy owls do have a hard way to go when they come south – TOO easy to spot. 🙁 Yes, folks have “poop” for brains when it comes to that stuff…. 🙁
And the poop those folks have in their craniums isn’t even quality poop! Thanks, Judy.
Hope he is still there after the snowstorms and when you can get back there. For now stay home and rest up and enjoy Thanksgiving. Thanks for posting him Ron. We should start getting the snow here tomorrow.
Everett, I hope he stays all winter. Not likely though. Yup, I’m staying home this morning. I imagine the roads are still a mess.
Glad you were able to find him! He is a beauty. I had to smile at your comment the other day that you were on your way. That would have been me also. I agree with your policy whole heartedly…I feel for the snowy owls right now. They have to be exhausted after their migration…
Kathy, the intense harassment of Snowy Owls that goes on beginning about this time of year is horrible. People can be so damned selfish. And stupid.
Beautiful image Ron Hope you and yours have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
Thanks, John. The same to you.