Rough-Legged Hawk, Monte Vista Wild Life Refuge
Rough-legged Hawk, yesterday at the Monte Vista Wild Life Refuge, southern Colorado. Was it ever cold yesterday. It didn’t seem to bother this raptor. Apparently it was also unperturbed by us. The bird sat on this post long after we left. It was a battle of wits. Once it lifted off and alighted on the next power pole, stretched it’s wings, settled back in, rotating it’s head, ignoring us just a few feet below in the snow. Thoroughly bored with us. We felt the vibe. Yesterdays count was a Golden Eagle, a Bald Eagle, and Swainson’s Hawk, a Northern Harrier, a Red-tailed Hawk, two of these Rough-legged Hawk beauties and a Coyote. Later on the drive home a large flock of Canada Geese, heading south, wheeled over the highway and head east towards the mountains. Despite the cold it was a gorgeous sunny day. I love my job. Join me on a winter photo tour! As always thanks for looking. G
Sandhill Crane, Monte Vista NWR
Sandhill Crane, Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, Colorado. I love these birds. They look like descendent’s of prehistoric dinosaurs. A pterodactyl perhaps? A nice warm day at the refuge. Thanks for looking. G
More images of Sandhill Cranes.
https://geraintsmith.com/sandhill-cranes-sunset-marshes/
https://geraintsmith.com/flight-sandhill-crane-bosque-del-apache/
https://geraintsmith.com/evening-fly-bosque-del-apache/
https://geraintsmith.com/juvenile-golden-eagle-sandhill-cranes/
https://geraintsmith.com/sandhill-cranes-heading-north/
http://geraintsmith.com/potd/pages/archive/march_15/march_03_15.html
http://geraintsmith.com/potd/pages/archive/november_15/nov_15_15.html
Juvenile Golden Eagle And Sandhill Cranes
Juvenile Golden Eagle at the Monte Vista NWR, flew through and “dive bombed” numerous groups of Sandhill Cranes, talons and beak flashing, causing a continuous uproar and frenzied lift offs of the cranes. The eagle failed miserably at taking any prey but it was a sight to behold at how much fear they can instill in their quarry. Thanks for looking. G
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge
Monte Vista National Wildlife Refuge, Colorado. It’s morning in the wildlife refuge as the fog lifts over the cat-tails on the banks of the marshes, slowly dissipating, to reveal the sanctuary islands beyond. The waterfowl are going through their morning ablutions, primping and preening as the sun warms up the air and the day begins. Thanks for looking. G
