Incredible Willets and more!
This is a long post. During this particular morning one incredible thing happened after another and I could not find a good spot to split this into to two posts. If you do find this is too long - please let me know as I sincerely appreciate all of your feedback!
On this particular May morning I went out to Hatches Harbor at low tide via the Fire Road - I went out very early and as I started my walk out it was very quiet - beautiful, but quiet. Alll of a sudden I felt eyes on me… I stopped and looked from left to right to see these coyote eyes staring right at me through the very tall grasses in the pre-dawn light… After I took this quick shot he continued on his way further into the grasses - within seconds I could not see him. I just loved this encounter -a great way to start!
As I continued along very slowly, all of a sudden a flash of movement happened to my right - I looked quickly to see the two gorgeous Willets landing on a washed-up old log! I have so wanted to photograph Willets and before this particular morning they were always out too far and/or too skittish for me to have any decent chances. This morning changed all of that!
One walked off of the log to the left into the water and then this one took a quick little rest all while the rising sun started to light up this area and the Willets beautifully.
The nap was very short-lived as he/she then started calling and calling for the other one who had gone out of sight.
And in it came!
Loud splashing caught my attention to see this incredible bath taking place!
Soon after the bath they both flew off and I thought - wow, that was amazing! Little did I know I would see them again very soon as I walked up further…but first I would spot this gorgeous Black-bellied plover and then his female mate!
Definitely a mating/bonding ritual was happening with these two… as they kept running after each each other in circles to then fly up to land again, chase each other in circles to fly up again…. and on and on!
I heard a ruckus to my right to see three Willets - the pair was not happy with the interloper’s presence!
Practically straight ahead of me a stunning male Common Merganser decided to make its way through…
I kept making my way slowly and quietly as best that I could- but there is absolutely no hiding - to set up closer to where I was hoping a Willet would ultimately want to be. In the past I have seen them in the area I was headed to… and on this morning it ultimately worked out beautifully!
And then took a quick check to see if it could find something to eat! Unfortunately no luck this time…
Up the sand mound and a quick flight across to where the merganser had just passed by…
To land practically in front of the female Black-bellied plover!
The Willet went immediately to his left while the male Plover (who had been totally out of my line of vision) came down to practically the exact spot where the Willet had landed. And look at what the Willet has as it comes back towards the male Plover!
A most incredible thing happened right after I took this shot… the Willet dropped that sea worm in that little spit of water and the male Plover quickly went over and now you see who has it!
A flash of something small in flight made me look to my left - can you spot the Spotted Sandpiper? :)
After all of this incredible excitement it was time to head back. As I was walking along the path just before entering the part of the path that takes me through the woods, something caught my eye to my right… you guessed it - the Willet pair again! I have never seen Willets in this area but have often heard them calling and calling so I do know they like hanging out there… another score!
Just after this shot he closed his eye as if to wink at me and say - did you enjoy this morning’s show? More than they all could ever imagine… and I winked back…. :)