Recently while photographing birds on Antelope Island I remarked to Mia that I’d like to photograph a Chukar doing a wing-stretch, something I’d only seen once in the past. I’ve often wondered why they so rarely do it and came up with a working theory that goes something like this – many birds stretch their wings in preparation for flight after an extended period of rest but Chukars seldom fly so they have less need for stretching (that’s only a guess of course).
Then, just a day or two later (10 days ago), it happened.
1/2000, f/9, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
As they often do this time of year this Chukar was apparently doing sentry duty atop this large, white lichen-encrusted rock and calling intermittently.
1/1000, f/9, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Soon (as the light changed and cut my shutter speed in half) the bird began to preen. Many bird species would follow up such a grooming session with a wing-stretch but I just didn’t expect it from a Chukar.
1/1000, f/9, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
But that’s exactly what it did and it even chose to stretch the wing facing me and included one leg in the process.
1/1000, f/9, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM +1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Then after its almost unprecedented (for me) performance the Chukar exited at stage left in traditional fashion, by hopping down from the rock instead of flying off. I thought it was pretty neat that my wish to photograph the behavior came true so quickly after making it.
Next time I think I’ll wish for a Golden Eagle. Fighting with a couple of ravens. Over prey. In good light. Close…
Ron
So glad your wish came true and that you have shared it with us. I think wishing is an excellent technique for making good things happen: I do that all the time with seeing Roadrunners. It doesn’t always work, but the sightings happen often enough for me to believe in the value of wishing. For that matter, it works for other things, too. On our first visit to Ocracoke Island two days ago, the second shell I found was a complete, perfect Scotch Bonnet – something I covet and that is rare to find.
Thanks for sharing the Chukar photos. I used to work on a ranch in Oregon’s snake river & always enjoyed watching the Chukars playin.
Thanks for all your photos
Ooooh.
And ahhh.
Somedays the star we have been wishing on lands in our pockets.
Thank you.
“Sometimes the star we’ve been watching lands in our pockets “—-SWEET!!! Just watching a news story about a kid whose policeman father was shot and killed when son was 15. Kid tried to win father’s old squad car at auction, but was outbid…lost out to a rancher, who won the bidding, then walked over to kid and handed him the keys! The star that kid was watching landed in his pocket!!! Beautiful!!!
That is a truly lovely story and made my eyes leak. Thank you.
Leaking eyes can be a good thing, EC. I saw a clip on that story yesterday, pretty neat.
Ron. You captured the athleticism so I could almost feel it’s motion. Especially the extended leg. Thanks.
Thank you, Diana.
What about the possibility of our witnessing an evolutionary change in these No-fly Chukars…crazy??? Think those dinky wings are on their was to being vestigial…or that I need a psychiatrist…or a session with the T-Party???
“What about the possibility of our witnessing an evolutionary change in these No-fly Chukars”
Patty, They do fly and they’re strong flyers when they want to be, it’s just that they don’t do it very often. They much prefer to scurry through the brush.
OK, they can fly IF they choose to…Back to “Dancing With The Chukars”….
The stretch photo is a delight (their wings are so tiny and round) but I really love the preening one! The shape, the alert attitude, the partially raised feathers – that’s the one I think is a grand prize winner!
I agree with you, Louise – that’s my favorite of this bunch too. The biggest appeal for me of the stretching shot is just that I was able to get it since I have so few opportunities to do so.
I like your wishes!
I to have always thought that they stretch just before takeoff, like a pilot doing a precheck to make sure everything is in working order for a successful flight.
Delores, stretching is a good signal to watch for if you’re trying to photograph take-offs. Especially with raptors but with some other birds too.
These are great shots (as always – I peek at your photos quite a lot without leaving a comment) and I enjoy seeing this bird that I would never see here in Minnesota. Thanks!
I’m happy to have your “peeking”, even without comments, Kathleen. Thank you.
Glad you got your wish…we all benefit. For such a chunky bird, that wing stretch position is surprisingly graceful…
Ron–have you given any thought to producing a new TV show…. called “Dancing With The Chukars”???
Nope. I’d have to compete with “Dancing With Wolves”, a favorite of mine.
Some of my friends were in that. One, a guy named Elmer, was “killed” three times so we call it “Dancing with Elmer”…two my best friends were a horse and a wolf so it’s hard for me to watch it. Makes me cry too much. I get a kick out of fact that Kostner is being taught the women’s dialect, so do get a smie out of that…otherwise a sore heart…and even higher blood pressure than usual, which is high enough…..
I just dream of seeing a Golden Eagle, again, PERIOD.. We see plenty of Bald Eagles in the winter, but Goldens seldom make it this far east. They are definitely my favorites..for kany reasons. Chukars so seldom use their wings, I sometimes wonder if they’re on the way to becoming a flightless species, like the Kiwi…( that is if anyonre, like me, is crazy enough to believe in evolution!)…..
I dream of Golden Eagles too, Patty.
There’s extra reason for my wish for a “Golden Eagle fighting with two ravens over prey in good light up close”. I had exactly that experience a few years ago and my camera was sitting right next to me. One small problem – I was driving and pulling my camping trailer so I couldn’t stop and photograph them. I’ve had that dream (nightmare?) many times since.
Ooooh! One of the ones that got away! They hurt and haunt! I know the feeling…been there, felt that…if only we could forget them!!!
Is it crazy to believe in something one can see with their own eyes? If so, I’m crazy, too! 🙂
If you are going to dream, dream big! I want to see a Chukar now. 😀
I saw some more of them on the island this morning, Arwen. You should visit it one day…
It’s on my list! It’s not a bad trip from eastern New Mexico. 😀
Absolutely beautiful photos!! May ALL your wishes be granted!
Pat
“May ALL your wishes be granted”
Wow, I could have some fun with that, Patricia. Thank you.
Want a great experience an shots Ron! To a photographer, an experience like this can inspire one for a long time.
Charlotte
Thanks very much, Charlotte.
No harm in wishing…sometimes they come true! Nice wing stretch! Love the colors and patterns seen in photo #2!
“No harm in wishing”
Agreed, Nancy. Sometimes the photography gods pay attention…