The Ferruginous hawk is the largest North American hawk and is closely related to the Rough-legged hawk. They have feathered tarsus that can be seen real well on Arash's last post of this handsome juvenile. For their size they have remarkably small feet. Even though bigger than our Red-tailed Hawk, they prefer smaller prey like voles and gophers compared to the squirrels and rabbits that the Red-tails like. I find these guys usually on low perches or standing in an open plowed field.
This young male was very cooperative and stayed in a localized area for almost a month. He had a cool hunting behavior. At first I thought he was making attempts at insects as he swooped down low and strafed the dirt and grass with dirt flying behind him as he flew off. After watching him do this dozens of times, and coming up without an insect, I realized that he wasn't hunting insects. He was watching the very subtle movements of the ground that the gophers or voles were moving and then smashing into that location in hopes of coming up with a meal. I never saw him score but I'm sure it worked. This frame was taken as he saw something under the dirt and was headed for it.
1DX---840mm---f6.3---ss1/4000th---ISO800---HH from truck@7:20am---30% crop
Thanks as always for looking and for your input. I appreciate it.
Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to All!!
David