Juvenile 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.
Absolutely perfect timing, Mia! I love the pink of the bird’s mouth contrasting w/the beautiful blue of the damselfly.
Thank you Tami.
What a great capture~ perfect timing! It took me a second to find the damselfly:)
Thanks Tammy!
Lovely photograph! It really does look like the Willet was about to catch the damselfly in midair.
Thank you Julie!
I originally missed the damselfly and then thought it was about to crunch down on it, but I agree, it seems to be passing in front of it in taxiing mode 😉 Great colors and feel to the picture.
Thanks Stu, the photo before and after this frame made it clear the damselfly was just passing by.
The color of the water is so soft and beautiful in this image. Love it. Carol
Thank you Carol, the wate rmade me want to dangle my toes in it (because it was SO hot).