When the temperature dives to -9F on November 12th (-23C), the obvious solution is to go look for birds down from the Arctic. Knowing that an incredible number of Rough-Legged Hawks fit this bill, I drove over to Sax-Zim Bog. Although these hawks spook very easily, I found two individuals which let me watch them hunt. Rough-Legged Hawks (Cornell link) are one of only two raptors (non Owls) which have feathers all the way down their legs to their talons. This adaptation to the cold helps them deal with severely cold temperatures, like this morning. (The other are Golden Eagles)

It was a challenge getting these photographs. In weather this cold, I like to get out of my car to escape the heat waves billowing forth and making getting a good focus difficult, but there is no way this kind of bird would allow me to exit the vehicle without spooking.

Rough-Legged Hawk hunting at Sax-Zim Bog. In the final image one of the hawks is flying away from me having successfully captured and killed a vole.

Hawk #1

Hawk #2

Finally, two photos of a Red-Bellied Woodpecker which visiting my yard late yesterday afternoon. It was puffed up against the cold. You can see a bit on snow in the air in the first image.