Excellent collection of Avocet images. Each has something special about it. I particularly like the in-flight shots, probably because I have never gotten a good one.
They do indeed!
I remember a few years ago when a non-breeding avocet was seen at a local shrimp pool in Costa Rica, I left home at 3am just to be there on time and I was rewarded with a nice morning and some soft light. I eventually saw many of this in California in breeding colours but the first bird I photographed was still my favorite just because it was such a rarity in my country.
They all show the grace of the avocet very well. The first photograph is my favorite. The curved beak is such a unique and beautiful feature of the bird and it tends to get lost in most avocet body shots because the wing pattern is so bold. Great rendering and a special viewpoint!
KCollett wrote:
Wonderful stuff, Colin. Love the galloping chick shot.
Thanks. Storytime.
I was driving in my truck in Washington State on some "out-in-the-middle-of-nowhere" (albeit paved) backroad, and crested a hill only to find an Avocet couple with one youngin' right in the middle of the road! I hit the brakes and pulled over, and took a bunch of photos. I was perplexed that the parents would choose a road as a place to be with their young, when there was acres of fields and wilderness for them to be instead. They normally have 3-4 eggs in a clutch, so not sure what happened to the others.
Eventually I had to leave, and as I did, I didn't have a good feeling for their survival, for all it would take is for some inattentive driver to run over them.
dclark wrote:
Excellent collection of Avocet images. Each has something special about it. I particularly like the in-flight shots, probably because I have never gotten a good one.
birdied wrote:
Gorgeous set. I have only seen these beautiful graceful birds one time, one bird for a split second. They are definitely on my wish list.
Birdie
Yes, they are only rivaled (IMO) by the Red-necked Avocet found in Australia.
juankgigo wrote:
They do indeed!
I remember a few years ago when a non-breeding avocet was seen at a local shrimp pool in Costa Rica, I left home at 3am just to be there on time and I was rewarded with a nice morning and some soft light. I eventually saw many of this in California in breeding colours but the first bird I photographed was still my favorite just because it was such a rarity in my country.
