White-faced Ibis With A Wet Head At Bear River MBR

White-faced Ibis with a wet head –  Nikon D500, f6.3, 1/2500, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light

Last May I was able to show my mother her lifer White-faced Ibis at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge when she came to Utah to visit me. Even though large portions of the refuge had been drained for maintenance, construction projects and invasive phragmites mitigation and we didn’t see as many of the ibis as we would have during a normal season it was a delight to explain to my mother how we have the largest colony of White-faced Ibis in North America on the refuge, about their feeding and nesting behaviors and for her to hear their calls as they lifted off from the marsh.

Even though I enjoy photographing White-faced Ibis in their Definitive Basic Plumage (nonbreeding) I think they really are gorgeous in their Definitive Alternate Plumage (breeding) because the metallic sheen of their plumage seems to be more vivid.

This White-faced Ibis had been feeding in the shallow water and had gotten its head soaking wet right before I photographed it and the ibis was in the process of getting ready to shake the water from its head feathers. My mom and I watched this ibis feeding for several minutes from the auto tour route at the refuge.

This year I’d love to capture large flocks of this species either lifting off or landing in the marsh either in stills or in video because seeing those large flocks in the air is fascinating to me and I think they would be to other people as well.

Life is good.

Mia

Click here to see more of my White-faced Ibis photos plus facts and information about this species.