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Avian Territorial Dispute

DivineFocus
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Avian Territorial Dispute

My wife and I are spending the winter on the South Carolina Coast. There are several willets that hang out along the beach where we walk our dog every day. Typically there is a single bird every couple of hundred yards or so. Apparently the spacing is not random. These seemingly shy, placid birds defend the feeding territory quite aggressively. I was photographing one bird when another flew in and landed nearby. What then occurred was quite the little battle. The whole episode documented below lasted a little more than a minute most of which was posturing. The actual fight took about 10 seconds start to finish.

Z9/800mm f6.3

1) The first bird minding its own business hunting sand fleas.

2) The second bird flies in and they begin to posture.

3) Suddenly they jumped into the air and the fight was on. By the time I lifted the ground pod to follow the action they were out in the edge of the surf. I was amazed when I downloaded the shots to see that at one point they were completely submerged.

4) The fight goes on.

5) One bird retreats.

6) But it's not over. The other bird pursues and the fight carries on. Notice they are using their feet much like gamecocks do.

7) One finally gets the upper hand and clamps down on the other bird's beak.

8) And hangs on for dear life. Notice again the kicking.

9) And hangs on...

10) And don't come back!

Jan 23, 2023 at 10:25 AM

johnohio
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Avian Territorial Dispute

Interesting behavior shots. That last one is a beauty !

John

Jan 23, 2023 at 03:29 PM

morris
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Avian Territorial Dispute

Great documentary work Dan. 6, 7 and 8 are amazing

Morris

Jan 23, 2023 at 05:56 PM

birdied
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Avian Territorial Dispute

Excellent set .

Birdie

Jan 23, 2023 at 07:51 PM

gerov
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Avian Territorial Dispute

Very nice set!

Gero

Jan 23, 2023 at 08:36 PM

dclark
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Avian Territorial Dispute

Wow! Those are superb action shots

Dave

Jan 24, 2023 at 01:55 AM

DivineFocus
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Avian Territorial Dispute

johnohio wrote:
Interesting behavior shots. That last one is a beauty !

Thanks, John.
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morris wrote:
Great documentary work Dan. 6, 7 and 8 are amazing

Thanks, Morris. Yes I like that sequence. Captured about 20 frames while the one bird had its hold on the other. Quite the struggle.
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birdied wrote:
Excellent set .

Thanks, Birdie.
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gerov wrote:
Very nice set!

Thanks for commenting Gero.
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dclark wrote:
Wow! Those are superb action shots

Glad you enjoyed the post, Dave.

Jan 24, 2023 at 05:57 AM

Ted ellis
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Avian Territorial Dispute

Great behavioral series.

Jan 24, 2023 at 07:10 PM

Jim Dockery
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Avian Territorial Dispute

Wow, excellent series.

Jan 25, 2023 at 11:55 AM

amlsml
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Avian Territorial Dispute

NICE SET TFS

Jan 25, 2023 at 08:08 PM

DivineFocus
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Avian Territorial Dispute

Ted ellis wrote:
Great behavioral series.

Thanks, Ted.
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Jim Dockery wrote:
Wow, excellent series.

Glad you enjoyed the post, Jim.
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amlsml wrote:
NICE SET TFS

Thank you for commenting.

Jan 26, 2023 at 01:08 PM


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