It’s time for another edition of Some Recent Birds.
These are photos I’ve taken in the last couple of weeks that may not deserve standalone status on Feathered Photography but for one reason or another I think each one is interesting. The first four photos below were taken during my recent camping trip to Montana and Idaho and the last six were taken during a trip to Bear River MBR ten days ago.
A pair of Trumpeter Swans foraging on the flooded Red Rock River.
When the numbers of these swans plummeted to 70 birds in the 1930’s, nearby Red Rock Lakes NWR played a significant role in preventing them from becoming extinct. So on my trips to this area I always try get at least some documentary-quality photos of them. Usually when I find them they’re on the refuge but these two were more than 10 miles west of the refuge.
A very cooperative Golden Eagle in terrible light.
This photo is an excellent example of some of the reasons why photographing birds with the sun high in the sky is far from ideal. It was taken at 11:05 AM, during my long drive back to my camping trailer after a morning at the refuge, so much of the bird is shaded by its own body and the eagle’s heavy brow ridge made it impossible for me to get light in its eye.
But I’ll photograph a Golden Eagle, no matter the time of day.
A Western Grebe behavior I’d never documented before.
The female of the pair, on the left, repeatedly dipped her bill into the water and kept it there for extended periods. Western Grebes often peer into water with their eyes below the surface, presumably searching for prey or potential predators. But for three reasons I’m convinced that was not what she was doing – 1) only her bill went into the water, not her face, head or eyes, 2) she was continually displaying her triangular crest which I presume she wouldn’t do while looking for prey or predators and 3) her mate was extremely attentive to what she was doing.
I believe I was witnessing some kind of courtship behavior but when I tried to research it I came up empty.
A male Long-billed Curlew that had a very strong affinity for these old railroad tracks. I saw him there several times over several days. On one occasion he chased off another male curlew that had the audacity to fly in and land right next to ‘his’ railroad tracks.
I’m thinking that photos of curlews that include railroad tracks, good or bad, are more than a little unusual.
An American Avocet in flight soon after takeoff. This bird had repeated altercations with other avocets and it almost looks like it came out of the skirmishes with a black eye.
A grab shot of a White-faced Ibis in flight.
A male Black-necked Stilt calling in flight. You know me and layered backgrounds, I love’em.
An adult Black-crowned Night Heron that unexpectedly rose up out of the reeds and began to curl around in front of me. This is the only shot I got that had light on the face of the bird.
A young American White Pelican that flew by while I was photographing fighting avocets and stilts.
A spot-lit Great Blue Heron. I think this photo had gobs of potential, but I wasn’t paying close enough attention and cut off his virtual lower legs and feet.
Still making rookie mistakes after all these years.
Ron
sensational series Ron!
Charlotte Norton
Totally delightful. And speaking for myself I would be over the moon if I could get any one of these shots.
Thank you, EC.
Golden Eagle? Yes Please! Absolutely love your potpourri posts. So many interesting shots! The colors, lighting & setting in the Great Blue Heron shot are marvelous! Also found the Curlew shot next to the tracks very interesting! Thanks for allowing us to ride along in your truck with you! WOW 🙂
Glad you enjoyed the ride, Kathleen. Thanks.
What a fantastic group! I especially like the stilt and the night heron!
Thanks, Joanne.
A wonderful collection. I like the curlew and train tracks. Do you think more of our breeding pelicans will now go to Idaho and perhaps Yellowstone area? Yellowstone seems like too short of a breeding season, but more seclusion.
Thanks, April. They’ll have to go somewhere else but I’d only be guessing where it might be.
Absolutely loved this interesting series of the variety of birds in action and your narrative of fact or musing ❣️ I certainly admire your dedication to travel , camp and go off to do what you love and enjoy…and your gift of sharing your photography with your appreciative audience ❣️✅❣️
Thanks very much, Carolyn.
Except for the Golden Eagle, this is a neat collection of “Longness” – long necks, long legs, long bills. And red eyes! (3 and 1/2 of them-the stilt has a hint of red along the edge of the iris). The pelican and ibis have very odd-looking faces. Spot-lit GBH is beautiful, even as the lower body fades into the shadows. And maybe the eagle counts, too, after all – his tail is pretty long!
You’ve made some interesting observations in your comment, Carolyn. Thanks.
Enjoyed all of these Ron.
Always appreciate a Golden Eagle photo.
Interesting background on the Trumpeter Swans. Down to 70. Got to be near a tipping point for them. Glad they are on the rebound.
The Long-billed Curlew photo has appeal. Probably has something to do with the juxtaposing of the hard geometric shape of the rails and rocks against the biomorphic shape of the bird. Then there is a touch of the whimsical; proposed title ‘Curlew Waitn’ for a Train’.
“Curlew Waitn’ for a Train”
Michael, it made me think of a hobo curlew riding the freight trains. Thank you.
What wonderful variety– not only of species but behavior and surroundings
as well ! I’m thrilled for you that all you endured–surgery and pain-wise —
yielded for you renewed ability to do what you love so much. and to
brighten each morning for me and the rest of your posse with beauty, info,
and even little “mysteries”, like the grebe scenario–thanks !
Much appreciated, Kris.
Fun/beautiful series, Ron…… 🙂 Love the crest on the Grebe. Almost looks like a piece of barbed wire on the Pelican tho guessing it’s a weed of some sorts.
Thanks, Judy. It does look like barbed wire but I think you’re right – it’s some kind of aquatic vegetation.
I like all the in-flights best. Tied for 1st at least for me are the Stilt and the Night Heron, but also very much like the grab shot. You sure did not lack for targets out there.
“You sure did not lack for targets out there.”
It depends, Everett – on the day, on where I’m at and the time of year. I get bird-skunked fairly regularly.
A really nice collection of photos, Ron. And to think you took all of them within the last week or so. It pays to be out there every day!
“It pays to be out there every day!”
It sure does, Justine. Which is why I’m so disappointed that, due to morning clouds, it’s been a while since I’ve been ‘out there’.
I love that you catch birds doing different things, or at those ‘in-between’ positions… instead of the portrait poses that get so boring. Esp. the grebes and the heron are more alive to me after seeing your photos. Which isn’t to say anything against the others. I love all the photos and mini-stories, thank you so much for giving me smiles every morning.
And I also thank your other fans for their stories and anecdotes.
Cheryl, my “other fans” are a big reason for the success of Feathered Photography. Many of them are more knowledgeable about birds than I am and they’re generous with their input.
Fantastic collection, Ron!
“But I’ll photograph a Golden Eagle, no matter the time of day.” LOL – we only see them here in the Hudson Valley in the winter and always a thrill!
Thanks, Deborah. This Golden Eagle was so “tame” it didn’t even fly off when I eventually had to drive right past it while it was only about 20′ from the road I was on. Sure wish I’d had better light.