Wilson's snipe (Gallinago delicata)
Wilson's snipes are usually quite common on the Carden Alvar northeast of where I live. The alvar is a wet, grassy place in spring, although quite dry in summer.
Last time we visited the alvar, we could hear them but they were otherwise elusive until late afternoon when one suddenly flew out of a ditch, circled in the air above and then landed on this post.
On another post, this one looks a bit wind blown
Notice this one's very long beak. It's used to probe muddy areas for small invertebrates. The Wilson's snipe's beak is flexible. The tips can be opened and closed without moving the beak at its base.
Flying high
Here's an interesting fact: the femlae lays four eggs. The male takes the first two that hatch to raise them. The female raises the second two.
I am linking with I'd Rather B Birdin' HERE.
Excellent captures! How the colors match so well!
ReplyDeleteYou did a fabulous job getting these shots! I'm surprised there really are snipes. When those big kids wanted to take me snipe hunting, I thought they were pulling my leg so long ago and intended to leave me in the woods! :)
ReplyDeletei got a good chuckle out of this one. when i read he flew out of a ditch, circled in the air above and then landed on this post.flew out of a ditch, circled in the air above and then landed on this post, I thought you meant he landed on YOUR POST today, then i saw the pic and had a good laugh. he did BOTH
ReplyDeleteIncredibly beautiful!! Love the 1st pose you've managed to capture. And the one in flight....awesome.
ReplyDeleteThat flexible beak is a very interesting tidbit!!
Interesting fact about the parents splitting the duties. Never heard of that before.
ReplyDeleteI love the first picture,the background is perfect and so is the pose. Thanks for the interesting facts,which I did not know before today.I always knew blogging was educational.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! And that split-parenting arrangement is pretty interesting!
ReplyDelete=)
wonderful shots on the post!
ReplyDeleteThe 1st image is a classic pose. Well done.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of equal parenting.
Beautiful bird. It has the perfect colours to be almost invisible in the dry grass.
ReplyDeleteCool sighting of the Snipes! They usually blend in very well with the habitat. Great shots!
ReplyDeleteSuch great info, EG!
ReplyDeleteI love the first shot.
ReplyDeleteWhat a handsome bird, I love seeing it from that angle in the 2nd pic, and also flying free in the last!
ReplyDeleteGreat find!! Boom Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeletelucky for you; love the Wilson's Snipe!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful looking bird, great captures!
ReplyDeleteAn interesting family dynamic!
ReplyDeleteSo much interesting information! Lovely pictures.
ReplyDeleteI can't post with my open ID the way your comments are set up (stupid Blogger) because it says the url is missing, but it isn't. It will let me use the open ID if comments are embedded.
Teresa from Eden Hills
Two eggs each! That is amazing!
ReplyDeleteVery nice photos. Now I have to Google the word "alvar."