Last week, I photographed this Killdeer on a boat ramp at Farmington Bay WMA. It’s such a simple image, and that’s probably why I like it so much.
Killdeer on a boat ramp at Farmington Bay WMA – Nikon D500, f8, 1/800, ISO 500, +0.7 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I like the slightly over the shoulder look I got from this shorebird, the great eye contact, and the distraction-free setting.
There were five Killdeer at the boat ramp that morning. I focused on photographing just two of them because the other three had messier foregrounds.
The clear bright sky reflected as an electric blue on the water. So vivid that it almost looks as if I added some saturation to this image. I didn’t and even considered decreasing the saturation a bit. But this image is what it is and I left it alone.
Killdeer are the first shorebirds I learned to identify as a child. I was only around five years old when I realized I could identify them by their sound and sight. Even way back then as a tiny girl I thought they were rather noisy. Vociferous is part of their scientific name for a reason!
I believe I have seen or photographed Killdeer every month of the year here in northern Utah. They may look a bit delicate but they are tough little birds.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Killdeer photos plus facts and information about this species.
Love the image and how nice to learn that they were your ‘starter’ bird.
It is a nice photo with the simpleness of the setting. I have been seeing a lot at the bay the times I have visited since the gate opened. They use to live all around the fields in Centerville when I was growing up. They would call and fly at night giving the night an eerie feel for me.
Lovely post, picture and words.