Juvenile Willet and damselflyJuvenile Willet and damselfly – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

On the first day of my recent trip to southwestern Montana I came across two Willets near a lake shore, one was an adult and one was a juvenile. There were plenty of bugs around, the horse flies bit me up pretty good and they even made me miss a few shots because I had to keep swatting them off of my skin. There were insects that the Willets were hunting and eating, primarily they seemed to be focused on dragonfly and damselfly nymphs.

I thought this image of the juvenile Willet and a Boreal Bluet (Enallagma boreale) damselfly was interesting, although it appears the shorebird is attempting to catch the damselfly. I believe the bluet was just flying by as the Willet searched for food in the water.

Life is good.

Mia

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