Thousands of Phalaropes Over the Great Salt Lake

 

It's only the begging of summer but the shore birds of North America have already begun their fall migration. 

You can see hundreds of thousands shore birds at the Great Salt Lake and among them are Red-necked and Wilson's Phalaropes. They show up at the lake to feed and rest before continuing their journey.

Wilson's and Red-necked phalaropes feed on brine flies and brine shrimps.

I was very blessed this morning to see and photograph the incredible spectacle of thousands of phalaropes that were flying over the Great Salt Lake.

Generally, life is good!

Wilson's Phalaropes at the Great Salt Lake - I.

This is another bird who takes advantage of Great Salt Lake brine flies and brine shrimp.  During my last visit to Antelope Island I was fortunate to photograph these birds who usually stay far away from the shore.  

Wilson's Phalaropes are small skittish birds and that day they luckily were close to the shore.  Why?  Perhaps, it was Sunday and there weren't many visitors that morning.

I have never seen these birds coming to the rocks (the shore is covered with rocks) but I suspect that they climb on the rocks on a rare occasion.

When Phalaropes are spreading their wings they look a little bit bigger.

 

Ready to catch a few brine flies.

***

If you think about something very specific and imagining how it can happen sooner or later you will come across it.  

I was lucky to be able to photograph these birds.  Not all of the photos were good, some were blur, some were out of focus.  There were a lot of frustrating moments  but the whole experience  was unforgettable and wonderful.  And that is what matters.

Generally, life is good!