The Willets are moving into their nesting territory on Antelope Island State Park and I am excited about that.

Willet just after lift offWillet just after lift off – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

What I am not excited about is that the biting gnats (no-see-ums) are back too. I love to hear the Willets calling either from their perches or when they are in flight. This Willet had just lifted off from a Sagebrush where it had been calling. I did clone a bit of the very top of the sagebrush out at the lower right portion of this frame.

Willet all fluffed upWillet all fluffed up – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 328mm, natural light

Further south on the island this Willet was on the ground where it had most likely been foraging and it stopped to shake its feathers and fluff them up.

Alert WilletAlert Willet – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1000, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 328mm, natural light

Then it moved a bit closer to the vehicle and stood at alert. I think the tiny pink flowers add to the last two images.

The biting gnats… The nasty buggers will be trying to suck the blood out of me for at least the next six weeks every time I go to the island but I am not going to let them stop me from photographing the wonderful birds and great wildlife I see there.

Mia

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