Thanks For Making My Day
It's always a thrill every year when the rough-legged hawks return to western Colorado from the northern areas of extreme North America, including Alaska. they move south in the winter where they spend several months. Glad they do too ... see, other than the northern harrier, they are probably my second favorite raptor ... and I love to photograph raptors in the winter.
The rough-legged hawk is only 1 of 3 raptors that have fully feathered legs down to the tarsi, hence their name. To me, they are quite beautiful in appearance and grace. They're, though not scientifically, like a red-tailed hawk X northern harrier. They prey primarily on small rodents, so they glide over fields looking for their dinner. Of course, they will eat other things such as small mammals and birds, when necessary. They have thicker wings than a harrier, and thus are considered buteos. This one is exhibiting one of its most prominent ID field marks ... those dark carpal patches, as well as those fully feathered legs.
It's always a great day when I find my first of the season. :-). Hope you enjoy it too.
© Debbie Tubridy Photography
Thanks For Making My Day
It's always a thrill every year when the rough-legged hawks return to western Colorado from the northern areas of extreme North America, including Alaska. they move south in the winter where they spend several months. Glad they do too ... see, other than the northern harrier, they are probably my second favorite raptor ... and I love to photograph raptors in the winter.
The rough-legged hawk is only 1 of 3 raptors that have fully feathered legs down to the tarsi, hence their name. To me, they are quite beautiful in appearance and grace. They're, though not scientifically, like a red-tailed hawk X northern harrier. They prey primarily on small rodents, so they glide over fields looking for their dinner. Of course, they will eat other things such as small mammals and birds, when necessary. They have thicker wings than a harrier, and thus are considered buteos. This one is exhibiting one of its most prominent ID field marks ... those dark carpal patches, as well as those fully feathered legs.
It's always a great day when I find my first of the season. :-). Hope you enjoy it too.
© Debbie Tubridy Photography