Willet callingWillet calling – Nikon D200, f7.1, 1/640, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

March is a month when I begin to anticipate the arrival of Willets, I have been listening carefully for them and hoping to catch sight of them along the causeway to Antelope Island any day now.

I took these images in 2011 on a day that didn’t have great light when the Willets were exhibiting courtship behavior. The Willet stood on this rock calling for quite a while, off and on.

Willet in breeding displayWillet in courtship display – Nikon D200, f7.1, 1/750, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

Then when another Willet flew into the area the Willet lifted its wings in a courtship display. These birds don’t look so plain when their wings are lifted! The call can be heard here.

By the way, those little blurry specks in this frame are midges and before long we will be seeing those too.

The weather has warmed up here and this coming week is forecasted to be sunny, and who knows, I might just see and hear my first Willet of the year!

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Willet photos plus facts and information about this species.