Whatsa matter, got mud on your feet?
1/5000, f/6.3, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Four days ago at Bear River MBR this male Black-necked Stilt was foraging normally in the water when, for no reason apparent reason, he suddenly broke out into this exaggerated gait. He made 8-10 steps like this, each time alternating which leg he stuck out far behind him.
This may look like a leg-stretch but it wasn’t. At the time I thought he might be trying to get rid of mud on his feet but he didn’t shake them and there’s no mud on his feet in my photos so I can’t explain the behavior. I tried to time my photos to catch the greatest extension of his legs and this was the best I could do. His performance was so unexpected I very nearly clipped his foot.
Relative to body size, Black-necked Stilts have some of the longest legs of any living bird and their bright reddish-pink color stands out dramatically so I enjoy photos like this one that make their legs the center of attention.
As if they aren’t usually.
Ron
Fun photo, such elegant birds. I shake my feet when I have to walk through pond water too! The sky has been so blue lately. The other day when I took photos in my yard the images have such a dark blue it is almost too strong in the image.
Thanks, April. I’m a fan of blue sky, except in my photos when that’s all there is in the background.
All I can think is ‘show off’. My exercise physiologist tries to get me in positions like that to improve my balance. I fail.
Stunning photo though.
Showing off. Now there’s a possibility, EC. After all, he did have a camera aimed his way!
I saw this and my first thought was a ballet dancer, but much better than a human. It just came to me, it is an “arabesque” pose.
Take Care,
Kaye
Kaye, I’m not schooled in ballet so I had to look “arabesque pose” up. You’re right, it does look like one.
All he needs is a little tu-tu and he’s ready for Swan…er…Stilt Lake! Or maybe he stepped on something yucky. 😉
“maybe he stepped on something yucky”
For a few seconds he sure acted like he thought he did.
Did not know this bird – what a handsome guy! His black and white body is elegant enough – but add in those colorful striking legs! Gorgeous!
Kathleen, they’re pretty common around her in summer and in the right habitat.
Lovely bird and a Beautiful photo!!
Thanks, Joanne.
Thanks for the morning 😊 love these birds.
Thank you, Catherine.
Leg cramps? “Bored”? Who knows! Neat shot in any case…….. 🙂
Ouch! Don’t even mention leg cramps, Judy. They’ve been a curse of mine ever since I started having back problems. Had another one last night.
I feel with and for you on that. I often wake up shrieking (literally) with them).
Excellent capture!
Thanks, Jerilyn.
To Susan’s list of possibilities, I’d add “speed-skater”—having his wings
folded up next to his body, the emphasis on those gorgeous long coral-
colored legs is even more pronounced.
Hmmm, Apolo Ohno with feathers?
Love it. From the first day I ever saw one here they became my favorite wading birds. Very attractive with the black and white and the long beak/bill and those pinkish legs.
Also if you ever see them make their arrival at a lake the entire flock will fly around and around for a long time before finally settling down.
Ron, just curious – I forget – is the Bear River location somewhere where you can drive to and then drive back home or do you camp out there?
Everett, Bear River MBR is about an hour’s drive north on the freeway for me, and then about 10 miles west from there. That last 10 miles is sometimes almost as birdy as the refuge is.
Yoga pose? Ballet class? Pilates warm-up? Whatever. He’s cute!
Yup, he is. Maybe he just got the twitchies…