Flock of White-faced Ibis at Bear River MBR – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Sunday morning at Bear River MBR I could have been found photographing a flock of White-faced Ibis from the north side of the auto tour route. This is the second area this flock was in. The ibis were fairly skittish and they immediately flew to the edge of this small pond when I first came upon them. As I drove forward slowly the flock of ibis paid attention to me but didn’t fly off.
Early morning White-faced Ibis flock – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Within seconds the White-faced Ibis flock ignored me and the majority of them started to preen their multicolored feathers. I’d have taken more photos of this flock but I was being attacked by mosquitoes. I don’t mind donating some blood to get the photos I desire but the mosquitoes seemed to want it all.
Tip:
There are times when it is necessary to approach a subject or subjects slowly. There are just as many times when a faster approach is needed to photograph the subject before the subject takes off. One or two seconds can make all the difference in some situations.
Young White-faced Ibis at the edge of a marsh – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
Before I left the flock of White-faced Ibis to escape the mosquitoes that were biting me despite the insect repellent I had used I took a photo of this young ibis standing alone. The ibis was at the edge of the water of the marsh. It was the only young ibis I could isolate from the rest of the flock.
Foraging adult White-faced Ibis – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
On the other side of the auto tour loop I stopped long enough to photograph a single adult White-faced Ibis I found foraging in the water. The morning light hit the feathers of the ibis just right to show the beautiful iridescent colors.
Speaking of water, the water levels on the water units were down compared to my last visit to the refuge just a week before. That was disappointing to see.
Adult White-faced Ibis in the marsh at Bear River MBR – Nikon D500, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I took a few more photos of the adult ibis before the blood sucking mosquitoes drove me away from it. I don’t react as strongly to mosquitoes as I do deer flies thankfully. By that time of the morning my skin and immune system were screaming “ENOUGH” so I rolled up my window and headed towards the hard top road. The mosquitoes were horrific that morning. I don’t know that I will be going back to the refuge until a cold front slows those blood suckers down.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my White-faced Ibis photos plus facts and information about this species.
Wonderful pics. That’s quite a group of ibises. I had no idea that their feathers were so iridescent…not as vivid as a hummingbird, perhaps, but still beautiful. Thanks Mia.
Beautiful birds. Our white ibis are known as bin chickens because they feed from our garbage bins, but I love to see them.
Beautiful. Soon the water will be given to others downstream, like BRMBR, as irrigation stops. Hopefully they will let it flow rather than fill the depleted reservoirs upstream.
Quite a remarkable gathering of ibises. I liked the subtle iridescence of their wing feathers.