I find flight shots of these little ‘teeter-bobs’ difficult to come by but recently I took advantage of a known behavior to get one. I actually got two of them but ‘his’ face was mostly covered by his wing in the other one.
1/4000, f,5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
Three days ago this Spotted Sandpiper took an extended bath in a stream in the Wasatch Mountains. The ‘Spotty’ wasn’t particularly close and my shooting angle was steep but I can never resist firing bursts during this frenzied activity just to see what I’ll get with wings and tail thrown askew and water drops flying in every direction. As usual some of my best shots were largely ruined by closed eyes/nictitating membranes or having his head underwater but it’s always fun to try.
Usually this species is just too fast and erratic in flight for me to get flight shots. But after bathing they have a tendency to make a short hopping flight to the nearest shore to preen and dry off so my intention was to see if I could be quick enough with my shutter finger to catch him during that short flight soon after he launched. I could predict which direction he’d likely go and he wouldn’t go far so that gave me a much better chance to keep him in frame.
Whenever I make such attempts something usually goes wrong but…
1/4000, f,5.6, ISO 800, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF 500mm f/4L IS II USM + EF 1.4 III Extender, not baited, set up or called in
this time I got lucky. I caught him in a flight posture I like, I didn’t clip any body parts, he’s sharp enough, there’s light in his eye and if you look closely there’s even flying water drops.
And I love his discombobulated shadow on the muddy shore.
Ron
He looks like he’s ready to play leapfrog with his shadow. Although, it’s 95 today and my brain might be a little cooked… 😂
I know what you mean, Marty. My thermometer says 94 right now and it was warmer earlier. Some folks are lots hotter though…
Like that image, Marty..of shadow hopscotch…and like that crisp, shadow…hot and humid here, but getting welcomed rain…images are cooling…
Luck (and persistence) were definitely ladies. A rarity.
Love the shadow and the leap. Discombobulated was one of my father’s words, and a word I rarely see/hear now. Thank you.
Thanks, EC. I’m about the only one I know of that uses that word anymore and I don’t use it very often.
I love that word too — used a lot in our family (we are what we speak). 😉
“Teeter-bob” is a term I’m not familiar with. Must be scientific. 😉 Very pretty little bird and think that leap onto shore is a jump for joy. As I would, were I able to bathe in a such a pretty mountain stream.
It is a pretty little stream, Chris. It provides lots of varied habitat for many birds and other wildlife. Humans haven’t screwed it up yet but I’m sure it’s on someone’s agenda.
Very nice capture. I mention all the time I like to watch birds preen and bathe.
I might do the same today if I see a puddle.
Better be careful, April – some crazy bird photographer might take your photo while you’re in the puddle… 🙂
Impressive jump shot there.
I would have preferred you titled this post “The shadow of the discombobulated teeter-bob”.
That curved feather above the legs looks like the tail end of a cat.
And finally, those have to be about size 15 feet in human terms.
Lyle, you can’t even imagine the number and variety of titles that usually go through my mind when I’m composing a post. Titles are important and often tricky to come up with. But the title you suggest is one I hadn’t thought of.
Love the shots!
We are dealing with Tropical Storm “Fay” which is moving quite fast, but still giving us some needed rain over our drought ridden earth, not a lot its moving too fast, but we’ll take any amount we can.
Thanks for sharing, stay safe!
You too, Dick. We could use some of your rain.
Discombobulated is a good word for that ragged shadow. And I love his spindly legs hanging down. Caught the edge of Tropical Storm Fay here in Maryland yesterday, including heavy winds coming back over the Chesapeake Bay Bridge, which were rather exciting!
Cathy, “discombobulated” came to mind the instant I saw that shadow, long before I decided to post the photo. It just seems to work better than any other word I thought of.
What fun! It sure did have the water flying and it’s short flight to land is great as is the wild shadow which would be fun for a guessing game……. 😉
We’re going to do 90 but won’t complain too loudly…… 😉
Poor GHO was late this morning and it’s “noisy” out there…..
Saw the comet at a bit after 3 this morning – first I’ve ever seen….. 🙂
Thanks, Judy. I’ve been meaning to look for the comet but keep forgetting because I’m so involved in writing my posts in the (very) early mornings.
That is a neat lift-off and quite an interesting shadow. About a month or two back we had quite a few of the Spotted as well as the Least, but have not seen either in a while. Fun birds to try to keep up with. Responding early because I am on my way out in a couple minutes. Supposed to be 99ish today. We have hundreds if not a couple thousand Phoenix visitors here now.
Thanks, Everett. I suspect your visitors from Phoenix are there to escape the extreme heat predicted in the next several days.
And/Or the exploding Covid-19 there……. 🙁
On a hot day (like this is predicted to be), that looks like a pretty spectacular activity!
Mary, It’s supposed to be about 100° here today and I won’t like it but I’m sure glad I don’t live in Vegas or Phoenix.