Despite all the color these are not summertime images. This Killdeer walked on ice to get to its bathing spot.
In spite of the freezing temperatures the bird was intent on bathing one morning earlier this winter at Farmington Bay (the water behind the bird is frozen). To me the Killdeer looks a little dubious about the prospect of getting wet in such conditions.
But it was able to find a spot near the shore with open water so it took the plunge.
Like most birds it was an enthusiastic bather and the action was so fast and furious that it took a shutter speed of 1/3200 to freeze the motion. Here water is clinging to the bill and face and there’s a thin layer of it on top of the head.
After the bath a wing-flap was in order. The bird’s a little tight but I was close and the image is full frame.
And then the Killdeer turned into a bit of a puff-ball in order to keep warm in these temperatures.
Though Killdeer are common in much of North America I have a soft spot for the species, partly because of the fond memories I have of them when I was growing up on the Montana family farm. It wasn’t long after these images were taken in late November that most of these birds moved out for the winter, though we often have a few that stick around for the entire year.
Ron
The facial expression in the last photo doesn’t look much different from the pre-bathing expression, even though it apparently enjoyed its bath… Beautiful set of photos.
Fantastic shots Ron!
Charlotte
Ron, the Kildeer is another case of a beautiful bird too often overlooked by photographers and birders. (“Oh, it’s just a Kildeer.”)
Thanks for bringing its beauty to us today!
Although, that liquid ice made me shiver!
These are great photos of a sometimes silly bird. One nested in the shot put box at taylorsville high right during track season and Tera had to get large stones to protect it until the chicks hatched. All turned out well.w
Double envy today. For the feathered enchantment aka bathing beauty, and for your wintry temperatures. And trail an arm was an expression my father used for birds decoying predators away from their nests with the pretence of a broken wing. A brave and risky business depending on the predator.
Fantastic series Ron!
Great pics! I’m also a fan of those adorable little birds and their ping pong ball shaped hatchlings 🙂
We have these wonderful birds on our shore often. I have been woken many a winter night by them singing their little hearts out, in chorus together with their sweet chirpy song.
They are one of the first that really sparked my interest in learning about the birds in my backyard, so I have a real fondness for them. Seeing them do this strange little dance– legs jiggling- and figuring this is how they flush out sand fleas in the shallow water… What a treat.
Thanks for the wonderful images and stories, Ron. I really look forward to receiving your blog posts. They make my day!
Thank you, Suze.
Wow! What unbelievably great images, the color and clarity (feel like I’m talking about a diamond 🙂 ) are astounding! Thanks for sharing…
I’m glad you enjoyed them, Bill. Thanks.
A beautiful little bird…love the colors, black, umber, sienna, white. Is that salt water or fresh that its bathing in?
Patty, It’s a fresh water pond at Farmington.
I agree with you and Sharon, Ron. We have kildeer on this old farm whom I’ve watched ‘trail an arm’ – lovely birds.
“Trail an arm” – a phrase I haven’t heard to describe it before. Interesting, Alison.
These are so lovely! What a wonderful moment to catch. I also have a soft spot for Killdeer. It touches my heart that they come out into the open and pretend to be injured when someone gets to close to their nest.
I agree, Sharon. That “broken wing act” is fascinating.