Virginia Rail warming up in the morning sunlight – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Today I wanted to write about how I found this secretive Virginia Rail in the marsh at Farmington Bay WMA yesterday morning.
I am always looking for birds but even more so when I am in the field. I basically put any other thoughts or worries out of my mind. I don’t think about the things at home that might need doing. I push the news of the day as far out of my mind as I can. I barely glance at the screen on my phone.
I put my whole focus on finding, observing, and photographing birds and everything else can wait until I get home.
Adult Virginia Rail stretching a wing – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1250, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Yesterday morning I found a Pied-billed Grebe in a small opening in a marshy area and when that grebe dove under the water I thought I had missed my chance at photographing a bird at that spot.
Then I detected a slight movement in the cattails at the edge of the water. When I focused my eyes on that location I spotted the Virginia Rail out in the open most likely enjoying the warming rays of sunlight after a chilly autumn night that dipped below freezing.
Adult Virginia Rail and its reflection – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Pointing this rail out was difficult. I was taking photos of it as I explained where to look for the bird and I probably took more than a hundred photos of the rail as I did.
You know what?
Pointing the birds I find out to other people isn’t easy. I had to look over my viewfinder to try to locate something to point out that looked different enough to give directions as to where to find the rail. The rail could have disappeared into the cattails during that brief period of time.
Thankfully the rail stayed perched on a small mound of aquatic vegetation next to the cattails.
Virginia Rail in the wetlands at Farmington Bay – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The Virginia Rail seemed to glow like a feathered beacon in the bright morning light. I hoped that the rail would stick around long enough for me to take photos of it in action…
Virginia Rail stretching both wings – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
And the rail stuck around for a bit. The rail preened, scratched, and stretched their wings over their back.
Most of the time I only get partial views of rails because they are very secretive, skulky birds. In some areas of norther and southwestern Utah they are year round residents. They are a species I hear more often than I see or photograph them. This rail was silent.
Virginia Rail flapping its wings – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The Virginia Rail also fluttered their wings several times while I had it in my viewfinder. I was delighted that the rail’s whole reflection was in this frame.
Virginia Rail on tiptoes – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The rail also stretched its legs, neck and bill as I photographed it. I liked how in this photo I could see the long toes on the right foot, the flapping wings and the red eyes of this rail.
Adult Virginia Rail with its bill open – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/1000, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
When I took this image I couldn’t tell if the rail was yawning or if it was snapping its bill towards an insect I couldn’t see through my viewfinder. I did not see an insect in the frame before this one but I still can’t be sure why the rail opened their bill.
Virginia Rail heading for cover – Nikon D810, f7.1, 1/800, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I was thrilled to find this Virginia Rail, to point it out, and to take photos of it before it disappeared into the cover of cattails. I don’t see these rails as often as I would like and to have one out in the open in the morning light was wonderful.
To sum up how I found this bird is actually simple.
- I was looking for birds and paying attention.
- The rail moved and I saw it because of number 1.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Virginia Rail photos plus facts and information about this species.
Wow! What a terrific set of shots! I love the colors and the taffeta pattern of the Rails reflection in the water. Thanks Mia.
Delightful pictures of this secretive bird. Really love the reflections! I saw my first V.Rail in Stoddard Slough near Morgan, UT. What a thrill to find it in such dense
cattails and reeds. It didn’t present itself very often, but I did see it several times that summer. What a treat to see your photos!
Great low-angle light!
How do we find THAT in our frames?? . . . getting up in the dark to be there before sunrise.
Absolutely gorgeous.
And sadly given the state of my eyes I am pretty certain that I would have missed it – even when you pointed it out. Thank you for these wonderful captures.
Love the light on the Rail. Excellent photography. Must have been a great way to greet the day.
Beautiful pictures of a very hard to find bird! As a person who needs help finding birds , I would say that there is a real art to telling people where to look in an effective manner. Also, a real generosity on the part of the spotters.
Fantastic series I love so many of the images I don’t have a favorite. Like you I hear more than I see, when they call they are noisy for a smaller bird. I guess I should not give up on Farmington Bay!
Gorgeous! Have never seen one in so many activities and postures!
Finding such a cooperative bird was lucky esp when it is such a secretive species. Lovely colours and light and I’m glad you got those wing-stretch shots.
Thrilling! And excellent bird finding advice!
I so envy you finding & photographing a Virginia Rail. Awesome shots.