Blazing AvocetsPhotography is all about light: direct, indirect, reflected, warm, cool, bright, dim, morning, evening, mid-day, etc. Without some kind of light, there is no photograph. I was blessed with "perfect" light when I took this photo a week ago at Quivira National Wildlife Refuge. I made the drive, hoping to photograph something in the fall migration. I had heard that water levels at the refuge were low due to a lack of any significant rain over the last month or two. I wasn't sure what I would find. Usually drought conditions mean that the water near the roads has dried up and any birds will be too far away to photograph. I always use my vehicle as a blind, shooting from the car window with a window mount and bean bag. The birds are used to seeing vehicles and usually are not spooked.
I arrived at the refuge shortly after sunrise and conditions were not looking good as I drove up the east side of the small marsh. It appeared that every pool close to the road was bone dry. I did see one pool up the road that had a little water in it. As I slowly approached, I saw there were a small group of American Avocets in the water. I was able to get in close without the birds flying. I could see that the light had a magical quality. The intense warm light of sunrise was illuminating the cattails at the back of the pool resulting in a blazing reflection in the water. The sun had not yet reached the birds or water. The near-white birds were standing out against the midnight blue water. The scene looked surreal. I knew I was capturing a special moment. And, how about that pose? Perfect!
Keywords:
Kansas,
Quivira National Wildlife Refuge,
autumn,
avocets,
birds,
nature,
shorebirds,
sunrise,
wildlife
Comments
Tim(non-registered)
Super shot TR!....and perfect pose, you get a magical shot 'cause you are a magician getting these 4 to strike this pose for you!
Jim Griggs(non-registered)
Beautiful image! Glad you found these out there. Been very busy the past 6 months with trips to Tanzania, Oregon, Wyoming, Scotland and back to Wyoming. Had a trip to Houston just in time for the left overs of the hurricane. Headed to Bosque del Apache in about two weeks.
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