I last saw an Avocet in April and was rather surprised to see a small flock this week. They were feeding in a shallow pond.
They worked back and forth and at one point the sun lit them up.
A couple of them ventured closer to shore as they were preening, taking a break behind two napping Roseate Spoonbills.
What a cool-looking bird. I really like the images, especially that final one–there is something really whimsical about that shot with the three layers of the avocets themselves, their reflections, and the blurry spoonbills in the foreground.
Thanks, Mike! I kept hoping to get a bit closer to them or that I was a bit taller to get a better view over that grass. The Avocet’s colors are quite striking and that beak really sets them apart.
Ah, the eternal quest of the wildlife photographer, always wanting to be a little closer or to have a little longer lens or to have better light. I think that the striving to produce a better image (by whatever standards you judge “better”) gives us a restless spirit and causes us to go out again and again with our cameras, never fully satisfied.
Yes! That restless spirit does keep me getting out there, hopefully to see new things and to get better at the process.
Very nice Ellen! You caught the light beautifully.
Thanks, Belinda! It’s always interesting to watch the changing light on water.