A short post this morning, to match the short night I had last night.
1/4000, f/6.3, ISO 500, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
Eight days ago at Bear River MBR I spent a big part of the morning watching aggressive interactions between pairs of Black-necked Stilts and American Avocets that were raising chicks. They seemed to take turns flying at each other, calling excitedly and loudly the entire time.
I caught this male stilt immediately after he took off from a mud flat to go after one of the avocets. The next three photos in the burst were very similar to this one, except that he wasn’t calling and he’d gained elevation. Of the four, I like this one best because of his open bill and his shadow that included the shadow of his long, pink ‘spaghetti-legs’.
I suspect the next time I visit the refuge most of the excitement of stilt and avocet nesting season will be over. I’m gonna miss it.
Ron
I am sorry about your short night and hope you can nap today.
Love this shot – and the shadow.
Thanks, EC. Had one. Might take another one… 🙂
Sorry for the short night. The booms went until almost 1 am here. I actually ended up going out and asking the neighbors on the adjacent streets if they’d be willing to stop for the night. Fortunately, they were. However, the wider radius still went on with huge fireworks. This summer was the worst it has ever been. It sounded like those news reports from war zones — and fireworks are still illegal in our city. Of course, as we teachers know, a rule isn’t a rule if it isn’t going to be enforced. 🤬🤬🤬
Thank you for the stilt photograph this morning. I hope both the stilts and avocets have a successful breeding season.
Thanks, Marty. I thought ours had ended soon after 11 but they started up again sometime after midnight. Just had a nap. It helped my attitude.
I’m going to grab some lunch and go over to the spca — I don’t think anything short of some dog love is going to help my ‘tude. 💕🐶🐾
Great shot!
Thanks, Charlotte.
Another excellent Stilt take off, but sure hope you are ok following your short night.
Thanks, Everett. I’ll survive. A little grouchy but I’ll survive.
Lovely. With his open bill he looks almost gleeful as he takes flight.
Thanks, Brett. In reality I think he was more angry than gleeful.
Those legs are really something. This photo really makes that clear.
They sure are, Michael. After all the time I’ve spent with stilts over the years, their legs still kinda boggle my mind.
Beautiful! Can REALLY contract those abs point those toes making those ridiculously long legs look even longer 😉
Quiet day/night yesterday in our neck of the woods for which I’m grateful….. 🙂 Didn’t need to be riled up with tree trimmer coming today or tomorrow to take out a 50/60′ dead spruce in front of the house….
Thanks, Judy.
My friend and neighbor across the street took out the big conifer in his front yard a couple of days ago. Now, instead of the beautiful tree, all we can see in that direction from my house and yard is the ugly scar of Kennecott (Rio Tinto) in the Oquirrh Mountains to the southwest of us. That tree had to come out though – he really had no choice.
Yep – hate to do it BUT there comes a time. Doesn’t affect our view much tho….. 😉 Lot of 50 to 60 year old trees here headed that way……