So this morning Rick discovered Larry had found Rough Legged Hawks near the Iowa Arboretum (and a little screech owl), so off we went.
We never found the owl. But we got some great hawk pictures!
 |
| A red-tailed hawk with- something unidentifiable - and a murder of crows waiting for him to finish so they can eat the leftovers. |
 |
| This guy, according to our Sibley Field Guide, is a Harlan's hawk - a subspecies of the red-tailed hawk! We were SO EXCITED to see this, though we're still out on wether or not it counts towards our life list. Still, 1st sighting! |
 |
| The Harlan's Hawk taking off! |
 |
| Rough Legged Hawk - 1st sighting! Thanks Larry Dau :) Our life-list is now officially at 177 birds positively identified! |
 |
| Rough Legged Hawk taking off |
 |
| A Black-capped Chickadee at the Iowa Arboretum |
 |
| Female Downy at the Iowa Arboretum |
 |
| Rough Legged Hawk |
 |
| Rough Legged Hawk |
 |
| A 3rd-4th year juvenile Bald Eagle, identified by the eye stripe. Bald eagles don't reach maturity or gain their white heads and tails until they're about 5 years old. |
