Until yesterday I’d never seen a Marbled Godwit on Antelope Island so it was great fun to photograph this bird up close.
It all started while I was photographing a bit of a feeding frenzy involving a mixed group of several bird species – Long-billed Curlews, Willets, Franklin’s Gulls and California Gulls. There was apparently a localized grasshopper hatch and the birds were scurrying around as they gobbled up their Orthopteran bounty. There were so many tiny cream-colored grasshoppers jumping up in front of the hungry birds that it almost looked like popping popcorn.
1/1600, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
Suddenly this Marbled Godwit flew in from out of nowhere, landed within a few feet of my pickup, and began to join in the frenzy. This photo was taken just after it landed. Based on the mud on the tip of the bill I’d guess that it was feeding on both newly-hatched grasshoppers and subterranean insects (and possibly plant tubers).
1/2500, f/8, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM + 1.4 tc, not baited, set up or called in
The bird was extremely tame and had absolutely no fear of my pickup, once coming in so close that I couldn’t focus on it.
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
At one point it pulled one of those twitchy little moves that I have difficulty interpreting. It pulled one leg up behind its slightly raised right wing, held the pose for a moment, and then…
1/2000, f/7.1, ISO 500, Canon 7D Mark II, Canon EF500mm f/4L IS II USM, not baited, set up or called in
dropped the leg as it extended its wings. I have no idea what it was doing (unless it was a threat display directed at another bird, I don’t believe it was stretching because it was too quick for that) but I liked the pose because it revealed the cinnamon underwing.
Marbled Godwits are common in some coastal areas where they winter and on their breeding grounds in the grasslands of the northern United States and southern Canada. Some of them do migrate through northern Utah, as this one was apparently doing, but prior to yesterday the only godwit I’ve ever photographed was an apparently sick bird on Glover’s Pond a few years ago.
So this one made my day.
Ron
Fantastic shots Ron!
Charlotte
“Good creature”…good name….Thanks.
I have to admit that the name of this bird makes my inner 13 year old giggle gleefully. I now have a new insult to call people. You’re a Marbled Godwit, aren’t you! I prefer insults that make people laugh. 😀
Arwen, I can think of some other bird’s names that if used as an insult would be unlikely to make the victim laugh. For that reason they’d probably be the ones I’d choose to use but then you’re obviously kinder than I am…
Grin, I have a few others I like…they are much meaner. 😀
Seeing a Marbled Godwit would certainly make my day, too. Especially when it is so tame. I would love to see one of these in person, but I don’t think I’m on the coast when they are. These shots are all beautiful portraits of this bird.
Susan, It’s rare for me to see such a tame bird, of any species. It was pretty neat!
beautiful captures of a lovely birdie!!!
Thank you, Lois.
Could those moves be some kind of bird yoga? I wonder how they got that interesting name…and its meaning, if any.How wonderful that you got to “capture” one of these elusive birds…and that it was unafraid enough so you could get some reslly great, clear shots… of a HEALTHY, hungry bird…..little, blue flowers are a nice touch….glad to see fllowers of any kind, but blue is a favorite….
Patty, Here’s what Wikipedia says on the subject of the origin of the name godwit:
“The name godwit originates in Old English with god meaning good, and wit coming from wihte, meaning creature.”
Ah yes, the absolute delight of seeing either for the first time or rarely a new healthy bird and a Marbled Godwit to boot. When we lived on the south coast of MA, even seeing one or two of these fellows each fall was exciting to me. A beautiful bird that draws excitement and appreciation! Many thanks for sharing.
Dick, A couple of years ago Mia and I found a pair of Mountain Plovers in the same area. You just never know…
I’m happy for you, Ron!! I know how exciting it is to see a bird that is rare to your region – I’m excited for you. Last Saturday one of our Nature Centers had a Deer & Raptor Walk where they took us behind the scenes to see the non-releasable deer & raptors they care for. As much as the ideal would be to have them living in the wild it was SO thrilling to be so close to a Great Horned Owl, a Barred Owl, a Screech Owl (so tiny), a Peregrine Falcon and a Red Shouldered Hawk!! God’s creatures!!
Thanks, Jo Ann. It was a great experience for me as I’m sure yours was for you.