Saturday, February 20, 2010

Camera Critters #98

Here on the High Desert, we don't determine the arrival spring by the arrival of Robins. Those birds come here to spend their winters.

What we do look for is the departure of the Rough-legged Hawks. The raptors come here for the winter, and return to their breeding grounds above the Arctic Circle when winter starts breaking up. Today, I had the opportunity to see if winter was on its way out and I found out it is still clinging to the area.

I came across one Rough-legged Hawk, then two, three, four and finally a fifth...which is about average for this area.


As I was leaving the area, the fifth Rough-Legged Hawk showed up, but its arrival was a nice one, as a group of Ravens decided to mob him. They eventually drove the hawk off to another area.


Misty Dawn's Camera Critter Meme is a great way to see critters of all types. Go to the Meme homepage here, and check out more entries. Then join the fun and let the world see your critter!

10 comments:

Yogi♪♪♪ said...

Great shots. I find it very hard to capture birds in flight.

eileeninmd said...

Cool sighting and photos of the Hawks.

eileeninmd said...

Cool sighting and photos of the Hawks.

Cezar and Léia said...

Your pictures are always perfect!I'm enchanted by this wonderful blue sky!
Happy Camera critters!
purrs and love
Luna

Misty DawnS said...

Those are definitely awesome looking birds!

Seems we were both thinking along similar lines with our CCs this week (gee, what a surprise)

Valerie@composition-life said...

Oh how I love hawks! (and all birds in general!)

LeAnn said...

How beautiful they look from the underside like that. Sorry winder is still hanging out, but glad you got to see these beauties.

DeniseinVA said...

Graceful in flight, great shots!

Jane said...

Awesome shots Ash, I love your fawn too below-beautiful. Yeah the winter seems to be hanging on in places, thanks for sharing:)

Teena in Toronto said...

I'm ready for spring!

I played too :)