Birds On The Wing At Farmington Bay

White-faced Ibis in flight over a Farmington Bay marsh – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/2500, ISO 800, +0.3 EV, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

While photographing Bald Eagles using the “sit and wait” approach at Farmington Bay WMA three days ago I had several opportunities to photograph other birds on the wing that flew into my view and among them were flocks of White-faced Ibis that were feeding on the flats closer to the road than the eagles were. A few times when the ibis flew in they were close enough to take photos of single birds as they circled in front of me before landing.

Male Ring-necked Pheasant in flight over the marsh at Farmington Bay WMA – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/5000, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

I even had a chance to photograph a male Ring-necked Pheasant in flight that had been flushed from its hiding place, took off and flew past me to the south where there were fewer people, vehicles and Bald Eagles. I do wish the pheasant had been a little closer to me but I still find this image appealing. It wasn’t easy tracking this pheasant in flight because they fly so fast.

Trio of Northern Shovelers in flight – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/6400, ISO 800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Some of the ducks that were on the water also became stirred up by the movement of vehicles and the people on foot near the air boat launch which caused them to take flight and fly past where I sat quietly in my Jeep. A few times several Northern Shovelers flew past me close enough to take images of them on the wing where they weren’t too small in the frame, of those photos this was the only photo where each of the bodies of the ducks didn’t overlap and where the shovelers were facing me.

Even though my primary focus was on photographing Bald Eagles I wasn’t about to pass up the opportunity to take photos of the other birds I saw on the wing at Farmington Bay that morning.

Life is good.

Mia

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