Southern Lapwings

Gallery: AvianPosted April 27, 2013319 views18 comments

Here's another shot from our trip to Argentina in 2011. This species is a real character, continually making a lot of noise and flying around, having territorial disputes etc. This pair was parading on the lawn at the lodge we were staying at in the Ibera Marshes. Notice the red wing spurs. When I was on another trip in Argentina, one of this species flew straight at me extremely fast I am convinced it would have hit me had I not dropped straight to the ground to get out of the way, no harm done but I was pretty sore the next day. This is about 85% of FF

7D 500F4 1/2500 F7.1, iso 400

Comments

18 comments

Comment posted by Howard Cheek on April 27, 2013 at 3:56 PM

Very beautiful birds Nate! So with two you double our pleasure, and make it twice as good of course

Excellent

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

Comment posted by Bill Leggett on April 27, 2013 at 6:55 PM

This is a pretty fun pair nicely captured, Nate. Those are some really curious "horns" growing out of their breasts. Good that you survived the assault

Registered on July 21, 2004, 706 Posts, 3233 Comments

Comment posted by Philip Hodgkins on April 27, 2013 at 8:11 PM

Nothing here to dislike. Well taken, strong detail in both birds, and both fully in focus. I like the back story also.

Registered on July 24, 2006, 2741 Posts, 12349 Comments

Comment posted by Dennis Plank on April 27, 2013 at 10:42 PM

Wonderful birds, Nate. Incredible poses and those comical heads are great.

Registered on January 28, 2008, 1767 Posts, 23192 Comments

Comment posted by SandyRichardsBrown on April 28, 2013 at 12:19 AM

Wow, terrific image!
Love the similar poses, the great colours and the cool crests.
Fine work!
Sandy

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

Comment posted by Ken Watkins on April 28, 2013 at 3:05 AM

Nate,

What a remarkable capture,two beautiful birds and great poses, the spurs add even more.

Registered on December 15, 2010, 1537 Posts, 4877 Comments

Comment posted by Ken Archer on April 28, 2013 at 5:06 AM

These guys are beautiful

Great strutting poses you captured Nate. Excellent techs.They sound like a challenge and lots of fun to photograph.

Sweet One!!!

Ken Archer

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

Comment posted by Martin Dunn on April 28, 2013 at 5:35 AM

Nate that is an absolutely gorgeous image.
the crispness and the colours are superb, especially the irridescent patches on the shoulders. Everything abou the photo works. I'm curious about the orange protrustsion on the breast. What exactly are they? do they serve a purpose?

Registered on February 20, 2013, 198 Posts, 1011 Comments

Comment posted by Claude Dagenais on April 28, 2013 at 6:33 AM

Looks like you captured these birds character in this shot! Very nice!

Registered on April 10, 2013, 56 Posts, 571 Comments

Comment posted by Nate Chappell on April 28, 2013 at 7:47 AM

Thanks for your comments everyone.

Martin, those are spurs on the bend of their wings. They are used for defensive purposes from predators and fighting among males.

Registered on February 1, 2006, 1158 Posts, 19528 Comments

Comment posted by Joana Roncero on April 28, 2013 at 2:17 PM

Beautiful birds Andes picture. Congratulaciones

Registered on August 27, 2012, 17 Posts, 70 Comments

Comment posted by Kurt Bowman on April 28, 2013 at 3:13 PM

Really super shot Nate. Love the colors and side by side comp.

Registered on June 19, 2008, 1005 Posts, 8028 Comments

Comment posted by James Allen on April 28, 2013 at 5:51 PM

I really like the coppery reflected color on the wings. Those spurs are something

Registered on December 10, 2012, 14 Posts, 232 Comments

Comment posted by Patrick O'Healy on April 28, 2013 at 7:16 PM

What a lovely pair and an informative story.

Registered on March 13, 2011, 326 Posts, 1679 Comments

Comment posted by Sharon Hallowell on April 29, 2013 at 11:29 AM

Real nice view of not one, but two birds! Their poses make this a fun shot with great colors and details. Love the spurs, crests and the red eyes and legs. Sharon

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

Comment posted by KC Choo on April 29, 2013 at 1:12 PM

Excellent, Nate! Reminds me of one Bond movie............stiletto-toed shoes!

Registered on November 15, 2004, 519 Posts, 8278 Comments

Comment posted by S Govindarajan on April 29, 2013 at 4:33 PM

Very neat species, Nate. I remember your old post of these birds and seeing the spurs. Nice to get two of them walking like this.

Registered on April 19, 2008, 115 Posts, 1921 Comments

Comment posted by Rick Andrews on May 1, 2013 at 10:34 PM

Great shot Nate, I especially like the colour and detail in the large image. Well done.

Registered on December 31, 2011, 45 Posts, 222 Comments