On my last trip to Farmington Bay WMA, I was delighted to have a resting flock of American Avocets in my viewfinder. Seeing these shorebirds delights me.
American Avocet flock resting at Farmington Bay – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
I’ve seen a few avocets over the winter, but not in these numbers. The avocets were resting and preening in the warmth of the rising sun when I found them.
Even though the avocets were quite a distance from me, I raised my lens to photograph them. And why wouldn’t I?
I liked how this image showed the vegetation at the edge of the water and the marsh beyond. Oftentimes, I can’t show that when my subjects fill the frame.
Flock of American Avocets at Farmington Bay – Nikon D500, f8, 1/2000, ISO 500, Nikkor 500mm VR with 1.4x TC, natural light
The were about 100 or more avocets altogether, I just couldn’t fit them all in my viewfinder despite how far away I was from them.
In this photo a Northern Shoveler swam behind the long line of American Avocets.
It won’t be long before the avocets start to find suitable nesting spots in the marshes that surround the Great Salt Lake. Soon thereafter, little avocets will be running around after their parents in shallow waters finding their own food.
A flock of these shorebirds can be quite noisy when they want to be, but I love hearing their calls. When their numbers are in the thousands, it can be an auditory and visual treat.
More of these elegant shorebirds will soon be arriving on spring migration. I know other people are just as excited about that as I am.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my American Avocet photos plus facts and information about this species.
While I love great close-ups of birds, I also truly appreciate when someone pulls back and shows a bird (or a group) in its environment. Those more distant images give the viewer insight into the bird’s life–something that close-ups can’t often achieve. Beautiful photos!