Yesterday morning I visited Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge and found lots of evidence that spring is finally beginning to pop.
One of the things I always look for this time of year is little pods of American Avocets and Black-necked Stilts fighting and chattering away with the intensity of hormone-infused behaviors.
1/2500, f/9, ISO 640, 500 f/4, 1.4 tc, natural light
Having witnessed the rituals of avocets mating many times before I knew what was about to happen when this female laid her bill down on the water’s surface and presented herself to the male. This time I got the shot, even with catch lights in the eye of both birds. So often in the past they’ve had their backs to me when it happened.
Here the male has just mounted the female (as evidenced by the three large falling water drops) and is holding his long, recurved bill to the side of her head as they usually do at this stage of the process.
I only have time for a single image of this complex process this morning. Soon, perhaps tomorrow, I’ll post a sequence of images of this very interesting ritualized behavior.
Ron
Oh wow. ANOTHER beautiful bird and stunning photograph. Thank you.
Thank you, Elephant’s Child.
Like the alliteration. I was going to use “Copulating Couple” for one of mine but chickened out-silly. Love to see the birds coming back.
Sometimes those title decisions are tricky to make, aren’t they, Jane?
I love these handsome birds! Very nice capturing the moment.
Thank you, Wally.
Oh how those hormones work!!!
Great shot, I can’t wait to see Black-necked Stilts with their raging hormones! (VBG)
Don’t their long legs get in the way????
I get fewer opportunities with stilts than I do avocets, Dick. Yes, I think those long legs make things complicated but they seem to manage.
Another great post, Ron. This bird is one of the cutest waders in the Americas and, unfortunately for us, rarely reported up here in Quebec. To witness their mating behavior is a great treat for us. Thank you to share.
I just looked at their range map and I see what you mean, Laval. They are truly a striking bird with that recurved bill and wonderful breeding colors.
This is amazing! What a gift you are to all who love birds. Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge and expertise as a photographer!! This is one bird I have never been able to see and observe and your photographs are the next best thing. Maybe better as my eyesight certainly pails by comparison to your lens!
Thanks!
Charlotte
We have oodles of them this time of year, Charlotte. Maybe you’ll have to visit the intermountain west one day.