Long-billed Curlew on the rocks – Nikon D300, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 200-400mm VR with 1.4x TC at 400mm, natural light
Curlew on the Rocks, it sure sounds like a strange, new mixed drink? If it were a mixed drink it would have Kahlua, some Amaretto, a touch of cream and maybe add a natural Cinnamon stick to swirl all the ingredients around with because all of those match the colors in the plumage of this elegant shorebird.
I believe that this is a hatch year bird because there is still a bit of a downy area on the back of the neck, at this age I wouldn’t try to guess the gender. The bill of an adult female is longer than a male Long-billed Curlew’s would be.
This was a life bird for my mother and I am glad she was able to see it strolling among the rocks on the shoreline of the Great Salt Lake while I photographed the curlew last week.
Happy memories.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Long-billed Curlew photos plus facts and information about this species.
The great thing about this photo is that you can see the motion of the gate of the bird when it walks…how it pulls its head back a bit as it takes the next step…. Boy you really got this shot at just the right moment … so much information in it. A joy to study. Many thanks.
Thank you much Merrill, I’m tickled that you can see so much in this image including the bird’s behavior.
Just beautiful Mia! I love your description! I would love to see one of these birds again!
Kathie, I’d love for you to see these birds again, thank you for your comment.
Perfection!
Thanks Julie!
That’s a long bill on a Curlew. That is a beautiful photo, cheers Mia.
Thank you Bob!
I’ll have two please, and make em’ stiff! Great shot Mia.
Laurence, if you ever visit Utah we will have to get those ingredients and toss a few of the drinks back! Thanks for commenting.
I knew your desire to photograph beautiful birds came from somewhere in your roots. Be sure you thank your Mom for a part of that. And the pinks in this image are fantastic. Carol
Thank you Carol, my mother does love nature and she thoroughly enjoyed spending time in Utah seeing it. She was getting great at spotting birds & critters here before she left.
Very nice, Mia. It looks like you had to put up with a lot of bugs 😉
Scott, thank you for commenting. The bugs aren’t really a bother since they don’t bite, up on the island though the mosquitoes and biting gnats can be a problem during their “season”.
Excellent shot.. Like the expo.too..
Thanks Chetan! The light was lovely that morning.
Beautiful shot!
Thank you Karen, it was a beautiful bird
Wonderful photo:)
Thanks Susan!