The Long-billed Curlew scores – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
This pose made me think “The Long-billed Curlew Scores” but he was really just exhibiting a territorial response to another curlew that was nearby when I photographed him. This image was taken last April on Antelope Island State Park when the curlews were courting, displaying, and mating.
Unlike the curlew I am not scoring. The road to the Greater Sage-Grouse lek is a muddy, snowy mess and it wouldn’t be prudent to try and go any higher than we did today because we might get stuck. Out in the middle of no where without a cell signal, that would not be good at all.
There are Sandhill Cranes nearby though and maybe, if I pray really hard to the bird photography goddesses, I’ll get some photos of them and this trip won’t have been a waste.
We will see.
It is still gorgeous country down here in Wayne County so I will certainly enjoy it.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Long-billed Curlew photos plus facts and information about this species.
What an enchanting pose…
Good luck.
And echoing Patty (again).
That is a wonderful shot! Beautiful in every way…i hope you’ll post some landscape shots if no birds are in sight…clouds, hills, mountains, grasses, sage…it’s all good…even mud! Just don’t get stuck!!!
Better to play it safe and live to photograph another day. 😀 And hey, if I were that curlew with perfectly glossy fresh breeding plumage, I’d be shaking my wings in the air, too, for everyone to see. I love these birds. Just about went into shock the first time I saw one in a field in western Montana one summer. No migratory bird has ever looked more out of place in its breeding grounds. Whoa, what is a shorebird doing in this semi-desert, wondered I??
Beautiful image Mia. Always in nature, some days don’t go as planned. Been stuck before and had to walk out.
Beautiful image Mia.