Black-necked Stilts Fighting for Territory

 

It was mid-August and Bear River MBR was still bustling with life.

When I saw the group of Black-necked Stilts peacefully looking for food I didn't even suspect that in a few minutes the most unexpected and interesting would begin. 

Out of nowhere, another group of stilts arrived to the same swamp and the battle for territory began.

Generally, life is good.

On the Great Salt Lake

 

The Great Salt Lake is the important resting place for migrating shorebirds. 

Thousands of different shorebirds can be seen on Antelope Island in late September and October. This is one the greatest bird phenomena in the West. 

Generally, life is good.

Elegance

 

Being able to be so close to the Black-necked Stilts that early morning made me think about how I could show them a little differently, focusing only on their irresistible grace.

Generally, life is good.

With the First Rays of Sun

Over the past few weeks, this place has became a place of gathering where many residents of Bear River MBR meet the sunrise.  

The migration is about to begin and my favorite birds will soon leave the Bear River MBR. I really don't want to part with them, parting has always been hard for me. 

Generally, life is good.

Great Egrets on The Bear River MBR

 

There were a few Great Egrets in the bird refuge two days ago but unfortunately they were far away. It took a long time to wait until two of them came a little closer to the shore.  And they were inseparable!

Generally, life is good.

Silhouettes

 

White-faced Ibises and Snowy Egrets during sunrise on the Bear River MBR.

 

Great Blue Herons with the first rays of sun on the Bear River MBR.

Generally, life is good.

Black-necked Stilts Are Nesting

 

In early June, I was lucky enough to watch how a male and female Black-necked Stilts incubate their eggs.  

Both parents incubate the eggs but the males often drive away intruders and defend the nest. That morning I saw the male Stilt in the nest for the first time. The plumage of male Black-necked Stilts is darker than the female.

At some point the male stood up to leave the nest.

A male Black-necked Stilt leaves the nest.

The female Stilt is returning to her nest. Her plumage is lighter. 

Upon returning to the nest, the female Stilt should check her eggs.

Generally, life is good.

With First Rays of Sun

 

Meeting the dawn with Snowy Egrets, enjoying the first rays of the sun is probably what happiness is.   

And it doesn’t matter that Egrets wandered into the very thick of the swamp, the water in which is not mirror clear.  The main thing is that you have a rare opportunity to watch these amazing birds.

Generally, life is good.

Ordinary Story

 

These moments were supposed to be about the American Avocet and they weren't that special until a White-faced Ibis walked by and made the whole story more interesting.

  

Ibis and Avocet share one space pretending that they are alone there.

It's time to go fishing.

Apparently, this is a very popular spot for fishing.

Generally, life is good.

Flying Low

 

Two weeks ago I was looking for shorebirds on the Bear River MBR but at some point came across this Great Egret.  As I approached he immediately took off, but at first he flew low and to my delight I was able to take several photos of this elegant bird in flight.

Generally, life is good.

American Wigeon at the Great Salt Lake

In a small backwater of the Great Salt Lake, I accidentally spotted a small group of ducks. To my indescribable joy, among them were several American Wigeons 

The American Wigeon is also known as "baldpate" because the white stripe resembles a bald man's head.  Breeding males also have a green eye patch that turned out dark in my photographs - the backwater was in shadow, and the rock reflecting the light made the scenes darker.

Doesn't the male Wigeon look like a leader of this group? 

In the group: a male Northern Shoveler, he is the first duck on the left and a female swimming next to him.

At some point, the male Northern Shoveler left the group, but the females continued to stay close to their leader.  Soon the non-breeding Eared Grebe joined the group and began to watch it from the distance.

Generally, life is good. 

Was That a Willet?

 

For the first time in two months, I finally made it out to Antelope Island and the first birds I spotted on the island were the shore birds as American Avocets along with Ring-billed gulls.  Sometimes the Eared Grebes joined them but not for long.

At some point, I noticed the grayish bird with a pointed sharp beak and began to watch this bird.  This unfamiliar bird constantly followed the Avocet and I got the impression that it for some reason wanted to stay close to it. 

There were several moments when an unfamiliar bird made me smile.  The bird decided to climb onto a rock to be noticed, but all its efforts to attract attention were futile.

Aggression to get attention? Or defend the rock as its own territory?

The bird eventually returned back to the rock and continued to watch the avocet.

I watched the unfamiliar bird for a long time; one might say that I dedicated almost all morning to it. The bird was amazing in its behavior.

Unfortunately, I had a difficult time to identify the interesting bird.  I wrote "Willet" in the tags, but I am not sure if this bird is a Western Willet.

Interestingly, that Willets do often hang around with other birds and are not as skittish as some and importantly they are larger than most sandpipers.  Whether was it Willet or not, I leave the question open.

Generally, life is good!

In a Close Circle

A few American White Pelicans fancied a small island of dry reeds. A little cramped, sure, but cozy and warm.

 

 

Life goes on.