Rough-legged Hawk

My wife and I made the Big Bog Circle Tour yesterday, driving through parts of three counties. We saw at least 15 rough-legged hawks during the course of the day, surely a one day record for us. One was a dark-morph bird; I got a shot of it, but from a distance. As is typical, most were difficult to get close to. One bird, however, allowed us unparalleled access; we easily spent a half hour with it at close range, moving locations as it did. We saw it catch two voles; Cornell says a non-breeding bird requires about five a day. A good day was had by all, except of course for the voles.

Two great shots Al.

Let's see; 5 per day times how many hawks...if I were a vole, I'd just move out(at nite!) Super shots, my friend. Interesting orientation in the first.

The stars aligned for you today Al........excellent shots, in good light. And to see 15? Good grief, i went looking for these and/or Snowy owls and ended up shooting gulls

Very nice, I love the first. Congrats on your good fortune- wish I was there

Great stuff Al!

wWow very cool shot Al

Nice find, and great shots! I've got four days off in a row starting on Thursday. This is one species I'll be looking for.

really super shots, Al! would love to be able to get that close to one of those!

Excellent shots Al, well done.

Joe52 wrote in post #17808266
Two great shots Al.

ardeekay wrote in post #17808453
Let's see; 5 per day times how many hawks...if I were a vole, I'd just move out(at nite!) Super shots, my friend. Interesting orientation in the first.

Wallace River wrote in post #17808579
The stars aligned for you today Al........excellent shots, in good light. And to see 15? Good grief, i went looking for these and/or Snowy owls and ended up shooting gulls

CaptBob wrote in post #17808693
Very nice, I love the first. Congrats on your good fortune- wish I was there

mandokid1 wrote in post #17808778
Great stuff Al!

Pondrader wrote in post #17808812
wWow very cool shot Al

Beekeeper wrote in post #17808841
Nice find, and great shots! I've got four days off in a row starting on Thursday. This is one species I'll be looking for.

squirl033 wrote in post #17808881
really super shots, Al! would love to be able to get that close to one of those!

Red Dexs wrote in post #17808972
Excellent shots Al, well done.

Thank you all very much for your kind comments. It was a great day indeed.

Oh my....great shots..

T.

Very nice photographs.

You are making that 500mm f/4 shine... along with its 1.4X companion.

Thanks for taking the time to share them with us.

Very very nice shots.

TerryWSmith wrote in post #17809566
Oh my....great shots..

T.

Phoenixkh wrote in post #17809573
Very nice photographs.

You are making that 500mm f/4 shine... along with its 1.4X companion.

Thanks for taking the time to share them with us.

Mag-1981 wrote in post #17809600
Very very nice shots.

Thank you all; I appreciate your commenting.