Black-necked Stilt

Gallery: AvianPosted September 11, 2012259 views13 comments

Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)

Place: Gilbert Water Ranch, AZ
Date: June 3, 2007 6:58 am
Equipment: Nikon D200, Nikkor AF-S 300/2.8 & TC20E (2x), G1325, RRS BH-55, sidekick
Exposure: ISO 200, aperture priority, 1/250th @ f/10, -2/3rd ev compensation
Raw, PS CS3 on Mac, 68% of frame

I noticed a small version of this in my files last night and wondered why I’d never posted it to NPN, so I called up the raw file from an external drive and worked up a pair of images in the currently permitted dimensions.

I don’t see them sit down like this often, and can’t recall ever seeing a post showing this behavior.

I used the healing brush to take out one distracting whitish lump of whitewash from the background.

Honest critiques requested; all comments appreciated. Larger image provided for critical evaluation.

Comments

13 comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on September 11, 2012 at 6:45 PM

I've spent a very limited amount of time watching shore birds, so I've never seen this behavior before.
And as you say, I can't remember seeing this "sitting" pose posted on NPN either.
Great job on this, thanks for posting it Rich.

Registered on July 24, 2008, 1201 Posts, 10758 Comments

Comment posted by Joel DeYoung on September 11, 2012 at 6:45 PM

Good details and color. And what an interesting behavior. When I saw the thumb nail I thought, Who knee capped the stilt?

This one must be viewed large to really appreciate. Well done.

Registered on July 12, 2009, 92 Posts, 1074 Comments

Comment posted by Robert Bunch on September 11, 2012 at 7:26 PM

Very interesting pose and behavior shot. I haven't seen them sit like this but I've really only seen two or three.

Registered on May 18, 2004, 124 Posts, 2503 Comments

Comment posted by Verdon on September 11, 2012 at 7:27 PM

Wow Richard what a killing pose and quality, wish it's my gallery👏

Registered on June 10, 2011, 147 Posts, 1444 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on September 11, 2012 at 8:49 PM

Great pose on this very nicely detailed stilt. It actually looks comfortable! or maybe, it just met the other stilt that made it's knees buckle!

Sharon

Registered on November 1, 2003, 392 Posts, 4810 Comments

Comment posted by Terry Sohl on September 11, 2012 at 10:12 PM

Cool! I don't think I've ever seen this before either...neat shot!

Registered on November 1, 2003, 513 Posts, 6889 Comments

Comment posted by Brian Gatlin on September 11, 2012 at 11:06 PM

cool, Rich--between the open bill and the bent ankle pose this is a good one. I like the setting and comp too. I think I've seen the bent pose once or twice but I can't remember what species. light is getting bright here--the difficulty of AZ summer--not yet 7am and the light already becoming difficult... hope you're well and starting to cool off--heavy rain up here the last 2 days, and a great monsoon all season.

Registered on March 21, 2009, 202 Posts, 4187 Comments

Comment posted by Barbara Graham on September 12, 2012 at 2:48 AM

As always, perfect detail and exposure, and to me the light is really nice.

Registered on July 27, 2010, 1310 Posts, 5035 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on September 12, 2012 at 12:55 PM

Nice light and your usual perfect specs.
I guess even stilts need to rest! I've seen them "down" like this, but only with chicks snuggling under the body.

Sandy

Registered on November 24, 2003, 3937 Posts, 12909 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on September 12, 2012 at 5:20 PM

Seems like an unusual pose for a single bird. A unique stilt photo for sure. Excellent exposure work and details.

Sweet One Richard!!!

Ken Archer

Registered on October 28, 2004, 222 Posts, 6683 Comments

Comment posted by Jim DeWitt on September 15, 2012 at 5:45 PM

I had no idea that Stilts could even do this. A great capture.

Registered on August 28, 2006, 1240 Posts, 8506 Comments

Comment posted by Rob Drummond on September 16, 2012 at 5:47 AM

Can't say I've seen ours do that Richard - nice shot

Registered on November 8, 2003, 617 Posts, 8267 Comments

Comment posted by Ron Bielefeld on September 16, 2012 at 10:33 AM

Nice Rich. I have not seen this posture either, but I have not really spent much time with this species.

Registered on December 6, 2008, 360 Posts, 7132 Comments