Including interesting strategy, fighting and being just plain uncooperative.
Like all bird photographers I have days in the field where photos I’m really proud of elude me completely and yesterday at Farmington Bay was one of those days. The potential was there (barely) but things just didn’t work out as well as I hoped. These three photos document my experience.
1/3200, f/6.3, 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
Soon after sunrise when the light was still very warm I watched as this White-faced Ibis lifted off from a group of its companions and flew directly toward this old clump of phrags.
Originally its intention was to land on top of the clump but there were so many tall phrag stems sticking out of it vertically that would impede its landing the ibis decided to try a different strategy. It landed in the water directly in front of the clump and then used its long bill, wings and feet to climb up the steep side of it. That long, down-curved bill proved to be extremely handy as a climbing aid.
Once the ibis got to the top it spent a long time up there preening but there were phrag stems in front of the bird so I gave up and turned my attention to other opportunities.
1/2000, f/6.3, 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
Over the years I cut my action-photography teeth on fighting Pied-billed Grebes at this very pond at Farmington. These grebes are small and incredibly quick so getting decent photos of them as they skitter across the water during fighting episodes is a very tall order.
I had one chance at a grebe fight and this is the best result I got. They were nearly out of frame and there’s no light on the chasing grebe’s face but I think the photo still gives a pretty good sense of the action and behavior. I do wish I’d had a little more shutter speed.
1/6400, f/6.3, 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
A little while later I came across this Rough-legged Hawk in a tree. I’d seen it earlier in the morning in the same tree but that was before sunrise so I didn’t even stop for the bird.
This time around when I got the hawk in my viewfinder it became apparent that there were twigs in front of its face so normally I would have only taken a photo or two for documentary purposes and gone on my way. But as soon as I aimed my lens at the bird it performed a wing stretch so I instinctively fired off a burst.
Because of all the twigs in front of the bird and because there was a group of other photographers already there (including some who had exited their vehicle? and were walking around very close to the bird) I only spent about one minute with the hawk before I left. When it comes to bird photography I don’t play well in crowds, especially when some are on foot and very close to raptors.
So that was how my morning went. No great photos but at least I got to spend some time with birds and scratch the itch of my cabin fever..
Ron
I am so very glad (for you and for us) that you could scratch that itch. As others have said I would be v happy to take any of these – and happier to se the action.
And yes, who knew that beak could be used as a climbing aid?
“who knew that beak could be used as a climbing aid?”
Certainly not this photographer, EC. A new behavior for me and that doesn’t happen every day.
You got a nice selection of birds and interesting behaviors. The Ibis behavior is certainly fascinating.
I certainly would be proud of these. And I ID’ed all of them instantly so coming to class every day is paying off.
“coming to class every day is paying off”
Shades of what I used to tell my students, Lyle!
I’d be happy with any of these shots. The ibis one is so interesting as I never knew they were climbers. That’s some pretty intense action from the grebes as well. I’m also thrilled any time I see a Roughie grace your blog — twigs and all. Looks like he’s adding a tail stretch to that wing.
Yup, it was a double stretch Marty. And I believe this was the first time I’ve ever seen an ibis climb anything.
I love the grebe action shot!
Thanks, Sheila.
Most of us would be pleased as punch to capture anything close to these photos Ron :-). Love the hawk wing stretch!
Thanks, Kathleen.
Those fighting Grebes are always entertaining and so often provide excellent action shots. Shame that one branch went up through the hawk’s eye, but the
wing stretch was well worth the shot. I am a very outgoing gregarious person except when photographing birds and wildlife. I always prefer to be alone in those situations.
Thanks, Everett. I just don’t think bird photography and gregarious behavior on the part of the photographer are a very productive mix. In fact it’s counterproductive.
I think it’s difficult to improve on photographing a “three-footed Ibis”–fascinating
to see it use that long bill as a climbing aid ! I wouldn’t ever have guessed at such a thing……if it’s as cold up north where you are as it is down south in Cedar City ( 19 degrees ), I’ll bet you’re still in your truck cab enjoying your chocolate donut and a hot cup of coffee and waiting for sunrise…….
Nope, no donut for me this morning, Kris. I only have a donuts on shooting days and we have clouds moving in so I’m staying home.
27° at my house right now – that’s cold enough for me. At least I finally got my sprinkler system turned off yesterday. I haven’t been watering for quite a while but I procrastinated turning it off.
Yep – how it goes! 😉 That being said it’s still a fun group of photos for me! 🙂 The Ibis is great in my opinion……. 🙂
Judy, the more I look at that ibis photo the more I like it. Don’t think I’ve taken one quite like it before.
I was out to Farmington Bay at sunset yesterday. I got some beautiful shots of the roughie. I haven’t processed them yet, I am having an eye issue and as I type this I am waiting to see the doctor. Maybe when I get home I will have time to process and post some of the photos.
Good luck with your eye, April. What you said on FB sounds more than a little scary.