I dug way back into my archives for this photo of a Willet with waves rolling in from the Gulf of Mexico, taken in 2008 at Fort De Soto County Park in Florida.
Why? Because I can. Additionally, I wanted to write about Willets and the Gulf of Mexico.
Willet with waves coming in from the Gulf of Mexico – Nikon D200, handheld, f5.6, 1/500, ISO 320, Nikkor 80-400mm at 400mm, natural light
Willets
Willets have two distinct populations in North America.
Western Willets, a distinct subspecies (Tringa semipalmata inornata), have fascinating breeding habits in inland areas:
- They breed far inland in prairies, wetlands, and grasslands of western North America.
- Western Willets nest near marshes, seasonal wetlands, and prairie pothole ponds, often in native grasslands.
- In the Great Basin, they frequently build nests at the edge of sagebrush near ponds.
- Their breeding range extends from southern Alberta and Manitoba to northern California and Colorado.
- Western Willets prefer short, sparse cover in wetlands and grasslands, and can also be found on semiarid plains near bodies of water.
Eastern Willets (Tringa semipalmata semipalmata) have different breeding habits:
- They breed in coastal salt marshes along the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts of the United States.
- Eastern Willets nest in cordgrass, saltgrass, and beachgrass near saltmarshes and on sand dunes.
Both the Eastern and Western Willets have piercing, distinctive calls. I’d even say their calls are “strident.”
Personally, I’ve enjoyed photographing both Eastern and Western Willets since I started bird photography, and I hope to have opportunities with Willets here in Arkansas or Oklahoma. With sightings reported in both states, I’m fairly confident I’ll be able to find them.
The Gulf of Mexico
Did you know that the Gulf of Mexico’s name predates the United States, with Spanish explorers using it as far back as the 16th century?
You do now.
Or that the recent executive order calling for a name change for the Gulf of Mexico would only apply to U.S. federal references and the part of the gulf within U.S. marine boundaries?
You do now.
Did you know that other countries bordering the Gulf of Mexico, such as Mexico and Cuba, are not obligated to recognize this change?
You do now.
And, lastly, maybe I am too old or possibly even too young for this crap, but I’ll keep on using the real name—the Gulf of Mexico.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Willet photos plus facts and information about this species.
Terrific info on Willets and the pic is beautiful. As for the Gulf of Mexico? It always has been; is now, and always will be …the Gulf of Mexico! How ridiculous to suggest otherwise. Thanks Mia.
The Gulf of Mexico is fine as it is. I’ll also continue to call it the Gulf of Mexico. I love the will it and the long beak it has for it’s size.
Good for you!
I agree that a name change for the Gulf of Mexico is adding insult to injury. Funny how we react when someone wants to change a name. I remember a couple years back when name changes for birds was definitely a topic for discussion.
Your post today is very interesting and aducational.
We have three Willets here (Tringa glareola, Trnga ochropus, and Tringa solitaria). The Tringa semipalmata, being native to America, is considered very rare, with only one approved record dating back to 2009.
Thank you for the explanations about your president’s lateste nonsense. And I will continue to use the name Gulf of México, no matter what anyone thinks of me.
Completely agree with you!
Exactly!
Thanks for mixing geography lessons with birding lessons, both with humor to counteract the sadness of the times
Thanks for making me smile. Actually, it was two smiles. The first was the Willet post and the second was me letting my coffee get cold while trying to think of something to say.
Love the Willets and hope that all of the Executive orders are as effective as this one.
I would assume that the folks in New Mexico are looking forward to the next found of Executive Orders…. Like he doesn’t have enough to keep him busy. Note: I have not mentioned the Orange Ones legal name….