Last week I photographed a Killdeer (Charadrius vociferus) bathing at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area in Davis County, Utah. I was in a mobile blind (vehicle) and the shorebird was quite comfortable in my presence. I used my Nikon D300, resting on my Noodle, f6.3, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, 0.0 EV and my shutter speed ranged from 1/1600 to 1/2000.

The images are posted in sequential order.

Killdeer in a puddle at Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah

Killdeer in a puddle

The Killdeer was bathing when I first focused on the bird and it stopped momentarily.

Splish Splash Killdeer takin' a bath at Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah

Splish Splash Killdeer takin’ a bath

It soon began bathing again, vigorously. I like the flying water droplets and how the water is running off of the birds back.

Killdeer being showered with water at Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah

Killdeer being showered with water

The Killdeer would press its body into the water and then rise back up.

Killdeer taking a bath in a puddle at Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah

Killdeer taking a bath in a puddle

Then it would spread out its wings a bit.

Killdeer twisting its head while bathing at Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah

Killdeer twisting its head while bathing

Sometimes the Killdeer would dip its head into the water, twist it and fling water over its back. While I wish that some of the water wasn’t in front of the eye blocking the catch light I am happy that the bird had its eye open in this frame. I love the action shown here.

Killdeer bathing, Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah

Killdeer bathing

The Killdeer also bobbed its body up and down without immersing its whole body.

Killdeer splashing in a puddle at Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah

Killdeer splashing in a puddle

I liked this image because I caught the bill open.

Killdeer cleaning up in a puddle, Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah

Killdeer cleaning up in a puddle

I like the great eye contact in this frame.

Killdeer shaking off water after bathing at Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah

Killdeer shaking off water

And the fluffed up feathers in this frame.

Killdeer fluffing up after a bath at Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah

Killdeer fluffing up after a bath

Even 1/1600 wasn’t fast enough to stop the motion blur of the feathers but it did freeze most of the water droplets.

Killdeer calling while bathing in a puddle at Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah

Killdeer calling while bathing

Then the Killdeer stood up and called.

Killdeer after bathing at Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah

Killdeer after bathing

Turned its back and gave us an over the shoulder look…

Killdeer tidying up its feathers after bathing at Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah

Killdeer tidying up its feathers

And it began to preen.

Killdeer in a funny pose after bathing, Farmington Bay WMA, Utah

Killdeer in a funny pose after bathing

I thought this was a funny pose.

Killdeer post-bathing at Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah

Killdeer post-bathing

And this one too!

Killdeer after bathing at Farmington Bay WMA, Davis County, Utah

Killdeer after bathing

The bird moved away from the water and gave itself a final fluff before it flew away.

Life is good.

Mia

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