Landing White-faced IbisLanding White-faced Ibis – Nikon D300

I spent some time being frustrated by camera equipment yesterday at Farmington Bay Waterfowl Management Area. I had taken my new Nikon D7100 back to my local camera store because of black spots migrating from the top of my viewfinder to the bottom so I was using the Nikon D300 which I replaced with the D7100 because it was acting like the shutter was going out on me. Well for a bit the D300 acted normally until I tried taking images of a Snowy Egret against dark water and then the exposure was all over the place. So finally I swapped out the D300 and replaced it with a D200. Maddening. Good thing I had the D200 in my bag with a wide angle lens on it.

Back to photographing though. There were quite a few White-faced Ibis on Glover Pond near the Great Salt Lake Nature Center and I focused on them for a bit. Some were foraging, a few were squabbling and flying around. I captured the image above when the ibis was landing.

Calm White-faced IbisCalm White-faced Ibis – Nikon D200

After I swapped to the Nikon D200 this White-faced Ibis stood quietly in the shallow water of Glover Pond.

Preening White-faced IbisPreening White-faced Ibis – Nikon D200

And started to preen.

Nonbreeding White-faced IbisNonbreeding White-faced Ibis

Even though the ibis are in nonbreeding plumage now their plumage coloration is still appealing to me.

White-faced Ibis preeningWhite-faced Ibis preening – Nikon D200

The ibis contorted itself to preen areas that were more difficult to reach and to spread the oils from the uropygial gland which aids in preening and keeps the feathers waterproof and flexible.

Mirrored White-faced IbisMirrored White-faced Ibis – Nikon D200

Birds can twist themselves into funny poses while preening.

Have a great day!

Mia

Click here to see more of my White-faced Ibis photos plus facts and information about this species.