Yesterday morning, I was beyond thrilled to take several Wilson’s Snipe portraits in frosty grasses while I was on the auto tour loop at Bear River MBR.

Frosty Wilson's Snipe portrait, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahFrosty Wilson’s Snipe portrait – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Last week, I photographed these shorebirds from the auto tour loop, but I wasn’t particularly happy with the resulting images I created.

Yesterday morning, was a completely different story for me.

If I could have, I would have fallen out of the driver’s seat of my Jeep when I spotted this Wilson’s Snipe close enough to me that I could take portraits of the shorebird. The joy I felt was that big!

I felt that the frosty grasses on the right side of the frame were the frosting on my cupcake.

I saw a low of 17ºF yesterday, so I wasn’t at all surprised to find so much frost at the refuge. I’d have been more surprised not to find frost.

Wilson's Snipe close up at Bear River MBR, Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, Box Elder County, UtahWilson’s Snipe close up at Bear River MBR – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 640, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I’m always happy when I can take portraits of my feathered or furry subjects without causing them discomfort – like ‘over the moon’ happy. I was delighted to have this snipe in my viewfinder, knowing that I could take close-up portraits of the bird in this frosty setting.

It wasn’t just this snipe either. I took more close-ups of another snipe a few minutes later that I hope to write about another day. Hopefully, I will have more chances with the snipes soon at the refuge and other locations.

I did want to take the time to wish you all a Happy Halloween!

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my Wilson’s Snipes photos plus facts and information about this species.