Marbled Godwit on Fort De Soto’s north beach

Marbled Godwit in flight with a Tubeworm – Nikon D200, handheld, f5.6, 1/1500, ISO 400, Nikkor 80-400mm at 400mm, natural light, bird provided its own food

Several years ago while I was photographing at Fort De Soto’s beautiful north beach I saw a Marbled Godwit flying in with a dark Tubeworm in its bill and took a few images of it from a distance. I wish that it had been closer to me but this image does give an idea of the size of the worm.

Marbled Godwit walking on the beach – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/2000, ISO 400, Nikkor 80-400mm at 400mm, natural light

The Godwit gobbled the Tubeworm down so quickly that I didn’t get any images of the action because I needed to change my position in the warm water of the lagoon. After eating the worm the Godwit came closer and strolled right past me. I wish it had been as close with the worm as it was when I created this image!

Marbled Godwits do show up in Utah but I have never been as close to them here as I was in Florida.

Mia

14 Comments

Rohrerbot March 8, 2013 at 4:40 pm

Beautiful Mia! Wonderful flight shot!
- Mia McPherson March 9, 2013 at 11:04 am
  
  Thanks Chris!
Bob Bushell March 8, 2013 at 1:49 pm

Brilliant photos of the Marbled Godwit, I’ve never seen one, cheers Mia.
- Mia McPherson March 9, 2013 at 11:04 am
  
  I hope you will get to see one Bob! Thanks so much for your comment.
Wally March 8, 2013 at 1:20 pm

Simply wonderful photographs of a great shorebird! Love the warm tones of their plumage.
- Mia McPherson March 9, 2013 at 11:03 am
  
  Thank you Wally!
Sherry in MT March 8, 2013 at 10:11 am

Nice shots both of them Mia. Do you suppose the ones in Florida are just more used to people?
- Mia McPherson March 9, 2013 at 11:03 am
  
  Thanks Sherry,
  
  The Godwits in Florida do get used to being closer to humans because they usually are found on the beaches and that is where many of the people are found too. Florida is pretty congested but out here the land is wide open so the birds have less contact with humans.
Lynn Koch March 8, 2013 at 8:13 am

Beautiful photographs! Are these birds in the same family as Willetts? They bear a resemblance with the long legs and bill.
- Mia McPherson March 9, 2013 at 11:01 am
  
  Lynn, both Willets and Marbled Godwits are shorebirds but they come from different families.
  
  Thanks for your comment.
kim March 8, 2013 at 6:35 am

that is one incredibly massive worm! the lighting, background and pose in the second image are stunning Mia
- Mia McPherson March 9, 2013 at 10:58 am
  
  Thank you Kim, those Tubeworms do get long.
Prairie Birder March 8, 2013 at 5:15 am

Beautiful photographs, I can’t wait to see Marbled Godwits this spring and maybe a Hudsonian Godwit too.
- Mia McPherson March 9, 2013 at 10:57 am
  
  Thanks Charlotte, hopefully you will see the Godwits soon.

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