Pic of the Day

American Avocet, Recurvirostra americana

Pawnee National Grasslands; Grover, Colorado

     American Avocet – Pawnee National Grasslands, Grover, Colorado:  In winter American Avocets gather in the tens of thousands along the gulf coast, but as spring arrives these shorebirds wing north to the central prairies to nest and rear young.  This avocet and its mate established a breeding territory on the Pawnee Grasslands just south of Grover, Colorado.  I photographed this bird feeding in runoff ponds that straddled a county road.  This image was shot as it flew from one side of the road to the other.  Typically the avocet wades through water shifting its upturned bill left and right snatching-up insect larva.

Nikon D300, 500mm f4, Digital Capture ISO200

Pic of the Day

American Avocet, Recurvirostra americana:  Bear River Bird Sanctuary; Brigham, Utah

     Nesting season for the American Avocet is in full swing at the Bear River Bird Sanctuary near Brigham, Utah.  I photographed this avocet on its nest at the refuge's entrance.  A colony of a dozen birds or so are incubating eggs, and squabbling over each of their small patches of territory.  Avocets build shallow nest and lay 3-4 greenish brown, irregularly spotted eggs. Chicks leave the nest within 24 hours of hatching.  Avocets and Stilts are elegant birds. I can photograph them for hours and never be bored.

  

Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/400 sec. @ f 7.1

Pic of the Day

American Avocet, Recurvirosta americana; preening

American Avocet, Recurvirostra americana; feeding

     America Avocet in winter plumage on the Bolivar Peninsula, Texas.  To see the American Avocet in breeding plumage click here:  http://www.bobbyharrison.blogspot.com/search/label/American%20Avocet

Top Image:  Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/500 second @ f8
Bottom Image:  Nikon D800, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/640 second @ f8

Recently Published Work

    My latest Birding Escape in Living Bird magazine (the flagship publication of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology) is out.  The article is on Audubon National Wildlife Refuge in North Dakota.  You can check out Living Bird and subscribe at:  http://www.allaboutbirds.org/page.aspx?pid=1085

Pic of the Day

     American Avocet – Bear River National Wildlife Refuge: Bear River NWR is one of the best places I have found to photograph avocets. This Avocet (top photo) was photographed within fifteen of the road that leads to the refuge entrance.  High water pushed many of the birds close to the road this year making them easy to photograph. 
     Because much of the birds nesting habitat was submerged some avocets nested right up to black-top on the gravel shoulder (bottom photo).  I saw this bird as I drove along the road.  After seeing it, I turned by van around and pulled the driver side along the edge of the black-top and stopped right beside the bird.  Confident in its camouflage the avocet set perfectly still.  I shot a burst of four images then pulled away leaving the avocet to its incubation duties. 


Top Photo:       Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4 ED  ifvr, 1/800 sec. @ f6.3, Handheld on beanbag
Bottom Photo:  Nikon D3, Nikkor 24-85mm, Exposure 1/1,250 sec. @ f5.6, Handheld

Pic of the Day

     American Avocet – Bear River National Wildlife Refuge; Brigham, Utah:  This is another image of an America Avocet I shot at the Bear River NWR.  Bear River is such an amazing place to shoot.  The early morning and evening light is exquisite, in addition to the light the reflections of the mountains in the water, (as in this photo) makes for uniquely colored backgrounds of soft pastels.  In this image, the late evening clam provided water with little movement giving an almost perfect reflection.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4 VRII,  1/250 second @ f 8, ISO 200

Video of the Day

     American Avocet -- Bear River NWR, Utah:  This video was taken at the same time the picture of the previous post as shot.  I enjoy shooting video, but the shooting situation is not alway conducive to video.  I have had a few people email that they really enjoy the videos, so I will continue to shoot more when opportunites arise.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4

Pic of the Day

     America Avocet – Bear River National Wildlife Refuge:  Avocets are plentiful at Bear River NWR.  Some Avocets are already on eggs, while other are still staking out nesting territories.  This Avocet, one of a pair, must have been staking out its nest site.  This bird and its mate were incredibility tame and walked right up to me.  I took this particular image as the bird fed in a flooded field.  I also did a video of this bird and will post it soon.  More images to come! I will make another post when I get another connection.

Nikon D7000, Nikkor 500mm f4, 1/640 sec. f6.3

On the Road

         American Avocet – Pawnee National Grasslands, Grover, Colorado: In winter American Avocets gather in the tens of thousands along the gulf coast, but as spring arrives these shorebirds wing north to the central prairies to nest and rear young. This avocet and its mate established a breeding territory on the Pawnee Grasslands just south of Grover, Colorado. I photographed this bird feeding in runoff ponds that straddled a county road. This image was shot as it flew from one side of the road to the other. Typically the avocet wades through water shifting its upturned bill left and right snatching-up insect larva.
Nikon D300, 500mm f4, Digital Capture ISO200