I like the dichotomy of a beautiful bird perched on what some would think of as “unattractive” bison poop. Though bison aren’t native to Antelope Island I think of “buffalo chips” as a natural part of the grassland environment and for me they make a perfectly acceptable perch.
1/3200, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
Two days ago we spent the morning with dear friend and superbly skilled bird photographer Melissa Groo as we looked for a Long-billed Curlew or two for her to photograph but we mostly came up empty. Then yesterday when she wasn’t with us (isn’t that the way it always goes?) we found this very cooperative bird who posed and preened for us in early morning light atop its poop pile. I was able to get many almost frame filling images of the bird but for this one I’d removed my teleconverter in case the bird took off and that’s when it chose to give us a wing stretch so this image has been cropped moderately.
I realize that some may be put off by the perch. But many prairie birds naturally gravitate to bison (and cow) “pies” on the largely flat and featureless grasslands they’ve become adapted to and curlews are no exception. Throw in the tiny purple flowers in the background to set off the interesting pose of the bird and the result is an image that works very well for me, though it likely won’t for others.
And that’s ok. Different strokes for different folks…
Ron
Nice shot, great pose, sharp, with good light.Love the spring season with the flowers.Now if this was dog poop left by lazy owners I would have an issue, but this….nah.
Poop is as poop does. 😀
That Curlew platform doesn’t bother me a bit…looks nice and dry…not too crazy about nrwly minted ones, but, old, dry ones…no problems (have MUCH more problems with political platforms…now, there’s some really offensive, stinking s–t!!!)…
Great shot! Beautiful pose and color. Love the splashes of purple flowers and the complementary colors in the background.
I used to get so digusted with “city folks” when they’d freak out and make a big to do when a horse, cow or other animal would urinate or poop…still do. By the term “city folks” ! I mean more an attitude than place of residence…An attitude I see more and more of and am less and less tolerant of…
If I was a bird carver, like Floyd Scholz or Dick Harlow, and carved a Curlew, I’d place it on a base exactly the size of the cow pie and in exactly the same place (for balance) on the “pie”! Mother Nature is quite the artist!
Yes, we liked to turn those “Frisbees” over for “creepy crawlies”, too… Also step on them barefooted on the way to the swimming hole….(that field is now a crowded housing develpment)…don’t know where the stream went…..
Beautiful photo! I can’t object to the perch: one day at Hueco Tanks I took a whole series of shots of a lizard sunning itself on a pile of poop (probably from Javelina). And I like them. I figure the birds and the lizards are opportunists, taking advantage of what works for them. We probably miss many good opportunities because we don’t like the platform on which they are resting…
Yes, we probably do miss those opportunities, myself included. I really don’t like most unnatural perches (telephone poles etc) and try as I might to be more tolerant it just ain’t happenin’.
I find that image very graceful and serene…I think it’s the magic of the gentle, golden light of early morning…rich with the promise of warmth and soft breezes….By the way, that’s an original Frisbee the bird is standing on…at least that’s what we used to use them for…wouldn’t be surprised if that’s what inspired those plastic things…..
Patty, most every kid who has grown up in Montana has had cow pie throwing contests with his/her friends and I’m no exception (the flatter and dryer the better…). And what a treasure they are for curious kids when they look underneath them to reveal all the small critters living there! (that said, I’m definitely not a fan of cows and their “leavings” on public lands)
Repeating my comment on Mia’s post. Another reason I’ve got to make it to Utah this year. I have lots of Long-billed Curlew shots, but NONE on Bison pooh. Great pose, but I’m having difficulty saying I like the perch.
We’d love to see you if you make it this far west, Dave. Liking (or not liking) the perch is obviously a matter of taste (the aesthetic kind, not the biological kind…) and I’m sure that many others will agree with you. Maybe it’s the biologist and naturalist in me that gives it it’s appeal for me.
I like it photographically, just had difficulty typing the words … heard myself saying “are you really going to say you like Bison pooh?”
Made me laugh, Dave!
Ron, the photo of all of the feathers on the underside of the birds wing is perfect for identification of feather types. And his poop perch works well for preening and stretching while being able to see what is approaching. Works for me too. Thanks.
Yes, those feather types are pretty well defined, aren’t they, Diana? Thank you.
I love it! It radiates warmth which is wait we are waiting for in New England!
I hope you get some of that warmth soon, Nancy – you’ve certainly got it coming. Thank you.
It’s a wonderful shot Ron!
Charlotte
Thank you, Charlotte.