Yesterday’s Virginia Rail
Virginia Rails are so secretive this is only the fourth time I’ve posted images of them to my blog in 11 years if blogging. And one of those four times was a rerun.
Tag: rallus limicola
The Shy And Secretive Virginia Rail
Getting this shot was nothing more than dumb luck – especially considering my “buck fever” at the time.
Virginia Rail Actually Out In The Open
A Couple Of Bear River Skulkers – Long-tailed Weasel and Virginia Rail
The Shy And Secretive Virginia Rail
The Virginia Rail is the epitome of elusiveness. Though their populations are relatively stable, they’re so very secretive that birders seldom see them and when they do they typically only get a fleeting glimpse of the bird through the reeds. Their laterally compressed bodies allow them to squeeze through extremely narrow gaps in vegetation so they usually seem to disappear as if by magic. Relatively little is known about these fresh water game birds (hunting them is permitted) because of their extremely shy habits and the fact that hunters show virtually no interest in them. 1/800, f/8, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc In my years of bird photography, this particular bird is the only Virginia Rail I have ever seen out in the open (and one of the very few I’ve seen at all) so it was a double delight when it looked back at me as it scurried away. I got four shots of it and only this one was sharp, partly due to my relatively slow shutter speed. Not a terribly attractive setting but if it had been in its preferred habitat I’d have never seen it at all. I’ll take it. Ron
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The Shy And Secretive Virginia Rail
Getting this shot was nothing more than dumb luck – especially considering my “buck fever” at the time.
Virginia Rail Actually Out In The Open
A Couple Of Bear River Skulkers – Long-tailed Weasel and Virginia Rail
The Shy And Secretive Virginia Rail
The Virginia Rail is the epitome of elusiveness. Though their populations are relatively stable, they’re so very secretive that birders seldom see them and when they do they typically only get a fleeting glimpse of the bird through the reeds. Their laterally compressed bodies allow them to squeeze through extremely narrow gaps in vegetation so they usually seem to disappear as if by magic. Relatively little is known about these fresh water game birds (hunting them is permitted) because of their extremely shy habits and the fact that hunters show virtually no interest in them. 1/800, f/8, ISO 400, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc In my years of bird photography, this particular bird is the only Virginia Rail I have ever seen out in the open (and one of the very few I’ve seen at all) so it was a double delight when it looked back at me as it scurried away. I got four shots of it and only this one was sharp, partly due to my relatively slow shutter speed. Not a terribly attractive setting but if it had been in its preferred habitat I’d have never seen it at all. I’ll take it. Ron