I’ve only seen something like this happen once and I’ll almost certainly never see it again.
This is a rerun of a post I published back in May of 2014. For this version I’ve edited the text, tweaked the formatting and reprocessed the photos (they were too dark in the original post).
1/2500, f/5.6, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
I photographed this Willet perched on sagebrush on Antelope Island on May 25, 2014. It would occasionally call to other Willets in the area but that was about the only interesting pose variation it gave me and eventually I lost some interest because head-on poses aren’t my favorites and I already had more than enough photos of that posture.
I pride myself on my ability to anticipate when a bird is about to cast a pellet. Usually they struggle for a while to get it out and that gives me time to get ready to fire off a burst and try to catch the pellet in mid-air. Other times it comes out quickly with little warning. Occasionally I’m lucky enough to get a series of shots as the pellet is coming out and flying through the air.
In situations like this, while using my old 7D camera, I always had to worry about filling up my buffer and missing the most crucial photos. So when this bird began to retch I was nursing my short bursts along and hoping to get the pellet coming out without filling up my buffer. Willets tend to retch for a long time so I had to be both judicious and lucky.
Here’s what Cornell has to say on the subject of Willets casting pellets.
- “Willet’s behavior when doing so (casting pellets) resembles retching actions of regurgitation, lasting 12–25 min, with fluid dripping from bill and flicking bill sideways.”
1/1000, f/9, ISO 640, Canon 7D, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
But this Willet was the exception – almost immediately after the retching began the pellet was out and I missed the shot(s) of it falling because my attention had wandered. In fact it surprised me so much that when I noticed it happening earlier than expected I jerked my lens when I attempted to push the shutter button too fast. All I ended up with was a blurry mess.
But what amazed me was the fact that the pellet had actually become impaled on a sharp, dead twig from last year’s growth as it fell, or was thrown with force, as the Willet vigorously shook its head. The pellet just happened to end up in about the only place it could be impaled.
This huge crop (only 5.6% of original image) of the same photo convinced me that the pellet was actually impaled on the twig rather than just sticking to it because it was wet. It stayed there for some time but when the Willet flew off the pellet was knocked off the twig by a beating wing.
I know, the pellet becoming impaled was just a meaningless quirky event but I like documenting “quirky” in my photos. By definition, quirky doesn’t happen very often.
Ron
It’s a “lollipellet!” (Nerts! Now I have this earworm: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3rYoRaxgOE0)
Hell, I got the earworm as soon as I read your comment and before I opened the link. Thanks a lot Marty!
Willets are delightful and to learn that they cast pellets along with Hummingbirds, Owls, Hawks and other birds that eat insects and vertebrates is so interesting. I love the pellet impaled on the twig. Serendipity, and you captured it. Your photography and blog provide so much more that just beautiful photos. Thank you for entertaining us with your experiences and observations too!
“Willets are delightful”
I’m glad you appreciate them, Melanie. To a lot of folks Willets are kind of ho-hum.
I appreciate it!
Good!
You thought that happened way too quickly and poor bird was thinking, “Willet ever come to pass?” (Sorry. That’s what you get for posting the close-up of that slimy thing. 😂) But it is pretty quirky that the pellet should land on the one twig capable of impaling it so you could document it… Handsome bird, BTW.
“Willet ever come to pass?”
Chris, have you been taking lessons from Lyle? Or are you guys two peas in a pod by nature? 🙂
We’re two wits in a willet. Hack hack.
😍
Fun! I have not posted photos of the hail at Snow Canyon. The hail was impaled on the cactus spines. It amused me so much I took way too many photos. I get around to posting some soon.
Now that would be a sight to see!
WOW!
“The Case of the Impaled Pellet” Wasn’t that an Ellery Queen mystery? If not, it should have been!
Mikal, you couldn’t prove by me, one way or the other. Don’t think I ever read any Ellery Queen.
I really appreciate when you admit to jerking the lens. Makes me feel better knowing that even photographers at your skill level and experience still do that. So often I have waited and waited for a takeoff and then blow the whole thing by jerking the camera.
I know you have in the past, but can you give a brief description of exactly what a pellet consists of and why they have to expel them?
Everett, rather than me trying to explain it, here’s a small part of what Wikipedia has to say:
“The passing of pellets allows a bird to remove indigestible material from its proventriculus, or glandular stomach. In birds of prey, the regurgitation of pellets serves the bird’s health in another way, by “scouring” parts of the digestive tract, including the gullet.”
There’s much more there if you have the interest.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pellet_(ornithology)#:~:text=The%20passing%20of%20pellets%20allows,digestive%20tract%2C%20including%20the%20gullet.
Thanks Ron – very interesting – appreciate the information
As fascinating as it is that you caught this behavior in a photo, I think I’ll skip breakfast this morning🤢
Feathered Photography – A good way to lose weight.
That’s properly called a Willet “reverse canapé”……….
Made me smile.
The “critters” have to keep us on our toes…… 😉 The pellet becoming impaled on the twig IS neat and, as you mentioned, is probably something you’ll never see again. 🙂
Guessing the computer is still a “work in progress”?
Yup, still a work in progress Judy.
Most of the progress has been made, enough that I’m using it now, but there’s still a few tweaks to make and a couple of bugs to (try to) fix.
Great shot!
I’m glad you identified the object as a pellet. Even the close-up looks like a snail shell. However, a snail shell wouldn’t be impaled by a twig, but that pellet certainly would have fooled me.
Thanks for the lesson!
I’m glad you like it, Dick. Thanks.
I so, so love capturing (or hearing about someone else capturing) these tiny, serendipitous behavioural actions. They give tremendous life and excitement to what might otherwise be a bland encounter and photo. I’m sorry your computer issues are frustrating you but if this is the result I have to be thankful.
“serendipitous behavioural actions”
Tthat’s a good way to put it, Granny Pat. I’m a sucker for that kind of thing.