Long-billed Curlew – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
Yesterday started off a bit cloudy so we got a late start heading out to Antelope Island to see what birds we could find. There weren’t many along the causeway except for ducks and coots that always seem take off as soon a vehicle slows down near them. I did see a Northern Harrier with nesting material in its talons and that made me hope that I’d be able to locate a pair of them building a nest. That isn’t as easy as it sounds.
Once on the island there were some Red-winged Blackbirds that wouldn’t stay still long enough to focus on them and a Chukar that slipped down the side of a rock after I had taken just one frame. Things were looking like they were going to be slow… again.
Preening Long-billed Curlew – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/800, ISO 640, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
None of the Loggerhead Shrikes were close enough to photograph so we pulled up to where some Black-billed Magpies have been busy nest building for the past several weeks. The thing is that there are often 15 to 20 minute intervals between the birds bringing in nesting materials. So we usually sit there waiting.
But not today. We hadn’t been there three minutes when I heard a distinctive call and I knew immediately what the sound was. I glanced up towards the sky and saw a very familiar shape winging its way towards us, then I saw another not too far behind.
The Long-billed Curlews (Numenius americanus) have returned to their breeding grounds! I would have jumped for joy but when you are inside a vehicle that can lead to a severe headache after hitting your skull on the roof. 🙂
Long-billed Curlew wing lift – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 640, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
It wasn’t long before I could see and hear several other pairs flying around in the sky and calling. I know I have said it before but it really is a sound you won’t forget after hearing it.
We found a couple of pairs of Curlews preening in the grasses and photographed them. I wish that the bird doing the wing lift in the photo above had been facing us but I take comfort in the fact that it is early in the season and there will be many more opportunities to catch that action.
 Long-billed Curlew in dried grasses – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1600, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
For several weeks the cries of the Curlews will be heard over their breeding grounds and their displays both in the air and in the grasses will be seen.
It is great to have them back.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Long-billed Curlew photos plus facts and information about this species.
Beautiful images! I especially love the last one. Your work is always inspiring!!
Thank you beverly, I adore Long-billed Curlews!
Beautiful birds and beautiful images Mia. I have a lovely memory of watching these birds walking across the Llana Estacado eastern New Mexico. Love the detail of the plumage!
Thanks Linda, I think the plumage; as well as the long bill, are fascinating on this species. They are so elegant at times.
Nice set of images, Mia. I especially like the second one!
Thanks so much Julie!
You never disappoint, what a wonderful post.
Thanks Susan, nature never disappoints!
Great photos again, Mia.
Thank you Bob, as always your comments are much appreciated.
Love these birds and photos.
Thanks so much for your comment Scott.
Gorgeous photos! The lighting really highlights their beautiful colors and patterns!
Thank you Tammy, I love the colors & plumage patterns this species has.
Fantastic! I love the soft colors and preposterous proboscises. Great photos as always, glad you’re getting some great sightings.
Thank you Laurence, I am getting some great sighting of these Curlews. I was so anxious to have them come back that now it is hard to keep myself from dancing because they are. Thise bills are soemthing else, aren’t they?
Very beautiful photos Mia, I hope to see a Long-billed Curlew soon.
PrairieBirder, I hope that you get to see Long-billed Curlews soon too. They are such fun subjects to photograph.
I’ve never seen these Curlews but they are absolutely fantastic to look at. Beautiful too. I love their gorgeous variation of color. Carol
Carol, Long-billed Curlews are fascinating birds. I had more fun with them yesterday and their calls were echoing off of the hillsides. They do have beautiful colors. Thanks for commenting.