If you thought that stilts have the longest legs relative to body size of all bird species you’d be wrong. But not by much. That distinction belongs to flamingos but stilts come in a close second.
1/2500, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this juvenile Black-necked Stilt last week at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and as soon as I looked at the image I was once again struck by the almost ridiculously long, thin legs of the species. Because only one of those legs can be seen and it’s so thin it almost appears to me as if the body of the bird is suspended above the shore without support as it looks back at the viewer.
And I suspect that this young bird may still have some growing to do so the legs could become a bit longer. Pretty impressive.
Ron
Note: I’m off on another jaunt to Montana – duration unknown. I’ve scheduled posts in my absence but I’ll be without access to a computer so I won’t be responding to any comments, though I do receive your comments on my phone when I have a signal and I always enjoy them.
Wish me luck with the smoke from the fires in Washington, Oregon and Idaho – the prevailing wind direction is not helpful…
And then I realized that there is no room inside an egg for those long legs. They must grow at an incredible rate! Imagine waking up an inch taller every day! How do they stand up in a brisk off-shore breeze? Wowzer! Thank you, Ron!
It doesn’t seem possible does it? But then I am always amazed that pelicans for example can fly. And at how agile penguins are in the water…
So much wonder. Every day.
I have never seen this bird before. Doesn’t look like that skinny long leg could possibly hold up the body of that bird. Strange looking. Thanks for introducing me.
This is a wonderful image. I’ve seen stilts before, but have never realized exactly how long their legs are. Hope you’re having a great trip.
It seems impossible for those long, unbelievably skiiny legs to hold up that plump. lttle round body…They are as perfectly named as the Rockies. I wish you clear skies for photographing, many interesting opportunities,to observe, oxygen to breathe, and, above all, safety.
One of our favorite memories of Stilts occurred at a place called Bolsa Chica lagoon, sort of a coastal wildlife reserve (with oil derricks in the background) in Southern California. As we were looking at a Stilt some yards away at the edge of a pond, it seemed odd. It was sitting on the sand, not standing, and as we peered at it with our binoculars, it seemed as if it had props sticking out below its chest, and its chest didn’t quite touch the ground. Dan grabbed his camera, and as we watched, the bird stood up and we discovered what those “props” were. Two tiny chicks scampered out from under their parent’s wings, and stood well below on the sand as the parent unfolded all of her legs! The chicks had been tucked up inside their mother’s breast feathers with just their legs dangling down. Dan did get a series of photos, too, and often uses them in presentations as one of those amazing moments that occur if one watches birds enough!
They are very interesting and beautiful birds.
Charlotte
Very impressive! Hope you are having a wonderful time in Montana (without smoke).