Thursday

from the tundra ~


Our visitor from the tundra showed up on the trail camera ... the Rough-legged Hawk.  I thought I heard one screeching the other day.

They are quite the majestic bird.   Because of their size alone they are often mistaken as juvenile eagles.  They have a wingspan of up to 54 inches.  The Rough-legged Hawk, also known in some areas as the Rough-legged Buzzard spends it's spring and summer / breeding season way WAY up north as you can see by the map.  We see them every winter as they love checking out our carcass pile of beaver that Dear Hubby puts out from trapping.  I imagine they love that fat rich protein after such a long trip south.

They really have a large winter range.  Do you have them by you? If not, toss a beaver carcass out in the woods... they will come.

Until next time ...
So it goes in my neck of the woods.
~mel

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13 comments:

  1. TexWisGirlJanuary 10, 2013 at 11:40 AM

    awesome! such beautiful wings!

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  2. jack69January 10, 2013 at 2:05 PM

    Wow they do go NORTH to breed. Must be more private. LOL
    I love the BIG birds of prey. Nice of Slim to provide the protein for them. I think the idea of the trail camera is fascinating, I love what you guys catched on them.

    Love from the Banks of the PEACE, far from the mating grounds of the Rough Legged Hawk (That I ain't even heard of.
    Thanks for the education. Imma B smart some day...

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  3. Cher' ShotsJanuary 10, 2013 at 2:10 PM

    Cool! Watch your small birds closely!
    'love & hugs from afar'

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  4. debJanuary 10, 2013 at 4:17 PM

    Your blog is gorgeous!!
    WOW what a wingspan! I can see why they can be mistaken for juvenile Eagles. Thats one thing I really miss from living in Alaska, seeing Eagles fly by the windows...so beautiful.
    *hugs*deb

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  5. Ms. AJanuary 10, 2013 at 6:45 PM

    Great trail camera photos!

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  6. Muffy's MarksJanuary 10, 2013 at 8:32 PM

    What a beautiful bird!!!

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  7. E.C.January 10, 2013 at 11:15 PM

    Fabulous photos. He's a handsome be-feathered creature, that's for sure. His range isn't this far in the mid-south. It never ceases to amaze me how far these wild angels can travel for survival. Awesome, truly awesome. :)

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  8. troutbirderJanuary 11, 2013 at 5:45 AM

    We see them only rarely here. A magnificent bird that's for sure.

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  9. DonnaJanuary 11, 2013 at 9:29 AM

    Here in Texas, we have the red & brown and light tan one but I don't know their names...beautiful birds though.
    Stay warm!
    hughugs

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  10. Fred AltonJanuary 11, 2013 at 9:54 AM

    Whew! Thought I'd never get this comment box open. Each time I tried I got a message, "please don't copy my pictures" or something like that...until I hit ctrl + click. I just had to tell you that your artwork is fantastic. Call it doodling if you wish - but it's great stuff. I've had a few art lessons in high school + a few private ones in the distant past and i do know how to appreciate skill when I see it. Beautiful!

    I love the fact that you are out there with Slim setting the traps and that he is with you for the fish-fry in the kitchen. What a wonderful way of life.

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  11. DarJanuary 11, 2013 at 10:26 AM

    Wowzers Mel, He is magnificent. I love his coloring under wing. Fantastic. I don't think I've ever seen this dude before. Does Slimmer have an extra carcass he wants to toss in my corral for the eagles and the Bobcats? I'd love to set my camera up again for the rest of this mild winter...it's confusing the most savvy hunters of the wild, isn't it.
    BlessYa

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  12. Carol.............January 12, 2013 at 5:55 PM

    Just gorgeous! We have many red-tail hawks in the Pacific NW and they, too, are awesome to watch gliding around in the sky.

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  13. AnonymousJanuary 13, 2013 at 7:21 AM

    THIS PHOTO IS FROM A TRAIL CAM???WOW!!

    Beautiful creature....

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