![\"\"](\"https:\/\/featheredphotography.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/american-avocet-4266-ron-dudley.jpg\" "\\"american-avocet-4266-ron-dudley\\"")
<\/p>\nLesson learned: don’t stop photographing avocets just because they’re no longer in breeding plumage.<\/p>\n
I’ll admit that once American Avocets phase out of breeding plumage, losing the red on their head and neck and many of their most interesting behaviors during the process, I often ignore them. I’m glad I made an exception yesterday morning at Bear River MBR<\/p>\n
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1\/8000, f\/5.6, ISO 800, Canon R5, Canon EF500mm f\/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in<\/em><\/p>\n About a half dozen avocets were calmly feeding together on a muddy shore when this one suddenly took off and initially flew right at me. When the bird banked to circle around and rejoin its companions, I captured a diagonal wing position which always appeals to me. A head turn which put light on its face and in its eye sealed the deal. I like the photo, even though the background isn’t very attractive.<\/p>\n The bird’s long legs almost look like they’ve been dipped in metallic silver. I like that too.<\/p>\n Ron<\/p>\n <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Lesson learned: don’t stop photographing avocets just because they’re no longer in breeding plumage.<\/p>\n