This is one of the more common wading or shore birds throughout the US. Usually solitary or in loose, small groups, it prefers shallow fresh water ponds, canals or waterways. Ideally when photographing a shore bird, the lower the perspective, the better. Unfortunately as I have grown older, crawling around on my belly is no longer a viable option so I have to compromise. This shot was taken off a tripod (600 mm lens + 1.4 extender) with me sitting behind it. This shot was taken in between wildfires this September in eastern Oregon.
Greater Yellowlegs
Country United States
State Oregon
Location Summer Lake Wildlife Refuge, Silver Lake, Oregon
Gender Unknown
Age Adult
Activity Feeding in the Wild, In or By Water
- Created Timestamp01/01/1970 00:00:00
- CopyrightCOPYRIGHT BY JIM BABBITT 2020 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
I really like this composition of the Greater Yellowlegs with the brown background and the bird’s reflection in the lake. I wonder how many species were affected by the wildfires there.
I am sure the wildlife has been affected, but the bigger issue in this area has been the ongoing drought. Summer Lake Wildlife Reserve is a large wetland area that has shrunk dramatically over the last few years as a result of drought.