Western Willet Nestled In Sage

Western Willet nestled in sage – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

While I was up in Box Elder County last week I photographed my first Western Willet of the year nestled in sage with its eye on the sky for possible predators. I spotted the Willet immediately though pointing it out was a bit more challenging. Why? Because saying that the Willet was on the top of a sagebrush when there is nothing around but sage isn’t easy especially when the bird was mostly obscured by the sagebrush.

I’ve been seeing Willets in flight and have heard their songs and calls this spring but this was my first opportunity this breeding season to have one in my viewfinder close enough to take photos of one of these sandpipers that breed and nest in the grasslands and prairies of western North America.

Knowing The Birds

A few days ago a friend sent me a photo to identify a bird perched on top of a sagebrush on Antelope Island State Park. It was a Willet. I explained that Willets can often be found perched high on sage, greasewood and other shrubs at this time of the year. I should have also included rocks, boulders and sign and fence posts. Willets will often call and sing from the tops of the shrubs, boulders and posts during the early part of their breeding season.

I know this because I have observed Western Willets for years which means I know where to look for them early in the breeding season. After Western Willets have nested and their young have hatched they will continue to perch on shrubs and rocks to keep an eye on their young.

Only moments before I spotted this Willet out loud I had said “Watch for Willets” because I know they can be found in this area due to past experiences with them there plus I had heard some calling in the area when I went past it the first time.

Knowing My Patches

I have excellent memory recall and observation skills which is why I detected this Willet perched in this sagebrush. Even though this particular “patch” is huge I know the topography of the shrubs and bushes in it well and when something in the patch sends a trigger to my brain I immediately search for a bird or animal. The top of this sage didn’t look quite “right” to me because of the Willet in the sage.

Finding birds to photograph isn’t just about having keen eyesight

There are other things involved including listening for calls and songs, knowing the birds, knowing the location, memory recall, and fine tuning my observation skills. I used them all to spot this Willet.

Life is good.

Mia

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