These images were taken at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge in southwestern Montana. There were two Willets; an adult and a juvenile, on the shoreline of the lower lake that delighted me.

Juvenile Willet on a lake shoreJuvenile Willet on a lake shore – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 357mm, natural light

I have a fondness for shorebirds because their beauty and abundance were part of the reason why I got hooked (addicted) to bird photography while I lived in Florida and I’m glad that I still get to see and photograph them in the western U.S.

Adult WilletAdult Willet – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 357mm, natural light

These two Willets were very relaxed, the juvenile often tucked its bill under the feathers on its back and dozed, the adult took a very long bath.

Juvenile Willet wing liftJuvenile Willet wing lift – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 357mm, natural light

The juvenile didn’t bathe but it would fluff up and stretch now and then which showed off the striking pattern of the underside of the wings.

Juvenile Willet stretching a wingJuvenile Willet stretching a wing – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, -0.3 EV, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 328mm, natural light

And the top of the wing too.

Calling adult WilletCalling adult Willet – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x Tc at 357mm, natural light

The adult Willet called several times while I was photographing the two birds, having seen a peregrine Falcon in the area I wondered if the adult might have spotted the falcon but it soon went back to bathing and foraging along the shoreline.

Bathing adult WilletBathing adult Willet – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1000, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 357mm, natural light

What can I say about this image of the adult Willet? I LOVE those ripples!

Juvenile Willet in the shallowsJuvenile Willet in the shallows – Nikon D300, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 400, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light

The juvenile Willet’s plumage was soft and beautiful. I like how well this image shows it off.

It won’t be all that long before the Willets will begin their migration south but I know that next spring they will be back again to delight me.

Life is good.

Mia

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