American Pipit stretching one wing – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I’ve been seeing thousands of American Pipits this fall, I see them out on the mudflats of the Great Salt Lake, I see them next to the causeway that goes to Antelope Island State Park, I see them on the dirt roads at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge, I see them near the marshes at Farmington Bay WMA and I hear them on the wing just about every where I go to photograph birds.
Earlier this week I spent a few minutes photographing American Pipits at Farmington Bay WMA as they perched on a pile of rocks, they weren’t really doing anything special but as I focused on one individual I could tell it was going to stretch its wing so I focused and started firing as soon as I saw its tail spread and the wing on the far side of the bird start to move. I was disappointed that I could not see the wing because it was hidden by the birds body. When I did see the wing tip below the bird’s body it had changed the position of its head and was looking away from me.
American Pipit lifting both wings – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
But then the pipit turned its head back towards me and barely lifted both wings as I fired away and watched it through my viewfinder. I remember I kept hoping that the bird wouldn’t look away again.
American Pipit stretching both its wings – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
And then the pipit lifted both wings higher while still giving me a great view of its eyes. I liked how it crouched down while stretching both its wings.
Fluffed up American Pipit – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/3200, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When the American Pipit finished stretching its wings it raised back up and fluffed up and shook all its feathers to settle them back into place. This pipit then moved around on the rocks before it flew away.
American Pipits aren’t flashy birds, their coloring might even be called drab by some people, but I have a great time photographing them whenever I can.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my American Pipit photos plus facts and information about this species.
Lift, stretch and fluff sounds like an exercise routine I could manage.
As you know I am a big fan of the lbj species. All of them. Subtle colours, and a lot of beauty.
These birds are CUTE!!!