Perched White-faced Ibis in breeding plumage – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1600, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I haven’t seen or photographed White-faced Ibis perched in the nearly ten years that I have lived here so I was thrilled to have my first opportunity to do so yesterday at Bear River Migratory Bird Refuge. I usually see this ibis species in flight, on the ground or foraging in the water.
There were other White-faced Ibis in the area where I spotted this ibis that were actively foraging but this one really stood out to me because it was perched near the top of old cattail growth while the other ibis were on the ground and partially hidden because of the vegetation.
This White-faced Ibis is in Definitive Alternate Plumage (breeding plumage) and the iridescent colors of its plumage seemed to glow in the morning light.
White-faced Ibis perched on cattails in the marsh – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The spring growth behind the ibis and the weathered cattail stalks added a nice feeling of springtime to each image that I took.
I was concerned that the ibis might lift off and that I would clip wing tips if the ibis took flight so I quickly removed my 1.4x TC just in case.
Perching White-faced Ibis at Bear River MBR – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR , natural light
To my surprise the ibis didn’t lift off and fly away instead it dove straight down into the cattails and disappeared from my sight. My images of it diving into the cattails were anything but sharp because I was expecting the bird to go up into the sky not down into the ground. Birds do what they want to do when they want to do it.
I made the best choice though when I removed the teleconverter because had the ibis lifted off into the sky I would have had some lovely photos of it in flight. I was happy to photograph this perched White-faced Ibis and add it to my portfolio.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my White-faced Ibis photos plus facts and information about this species.
Mia,
The first White-Faced Ibis photo takes me straight to the marsh! It is compelling and calls me to the wild!
Is there any way, please, that I can have a copy of that beautiful wildness? and have a multi-times-a-day call to my wild?
Sue
Really interesting series of shots. I had no idea that wading birds could [or would] perch. Fascinating stuff. Thanks Mia.
Terrific captures. I rarely see them perched, as you indicated was true for you too.
You are so right about the colours on that plumage. Thank you yet again for showing me birds I will not see.
This was so unusual. I like how the image calls attention to its legs. They are so often partially submerged or hidden in the grass and sedge.
Great shots of this Ibis! The lighting and color of the Ibis is excellent….especially on the first shot.
The first picture is fantastic! Magical.
Beautiful series of images.
What a beautiful bird. They are smaller than I imagined.
Beautiful! I’ve only seen them grazing…cool to see one perched.