Marbled Godwits feeding in a Florida lagoon- Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/640, ISO 160, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 360mm, natural light
The past few times I have gone to Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge I have seen Marbled Godwits flying over and I know that their migration to their wintering grounds has begun. Marbled Godwits do not breed in Utah and I only see them while they are migrating to or from their breeding grounds in the grasslands of the northern U.S. and southern Canada. I photographed them on their wintering grounds on the Gulf Coast of Florida quite often.
It seems a little odd that while we are still having temperatures in the 90° range that fall migration has already started but it has for quite a few bird species. It reminds me that summer will soon be gone and autumn will be here before we know it.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Marbled Godwit photos plus facts and information about this species.
Love the photo Mia!
I trust Nature’s call on what season it is much more than I trust our calendars and clocks.
Love the marbled godwits too.
Thank you.
I noticed many bird species arrived early this year with the warmer weather and they are leaving earlier this year. It could be they bred early and their young are ready to go so off they go.
I’m surprised at early August migration, but I know that some birds – like Hummingbirds – do theirs starting in mid-August.