Back to photostream

2303_0318 Ferruginous Hawk

The migratory raptors are returning and there's still snow on the ground! It's cause for some excitement; these are wonderful conditions. The snow reflects light back up to brighten their undersides better than the best studio bounce light. It doesn't happen every spring; last year most of the snow was gone by mid-March. By June the fresh grass can even create a green cast on the pale underside of a hawk's wings - not the most appealing result.

 

When this Ferruginous Hawk came off a power pole, the bounce light was perfect. This is a full frame image. No crop. That doesn't happen often in wildlife photography.

 

Photographed near Bracken, Saskatchewan (Canada). Don't use this image on websites, blogs, or other media without explicit permission ©2023 James R. Page - all rights reserved.

1,825 views
61 faves
22 comments
Uploaded on April 3, 2023
Taken on March 19, 2023