It would be a huge exaggeration to compare my pursuit of wildlife to courtship – so of course it’s too tempting.
This beauty starts walking toward me – how cool is that?
I find an abandoned road that had long ago disappeared into a large expanse of water. As I drive by, I notice a collection of birds where the road meets the water’s edge. The resident ducks don’t entice me. Unfortunately, familiarity too quickly breeds boredom.
However, I see an American avocet and then another. My interest is peaked. Here is a chance to make an impression and I quickly leave the truck. I really want this to work.
I don’t sneak up on them because that usually ends badly. I hear that honesty is the latest fad in relationships so I give it a whirl. I try to be cool about the approach without looking too desperate or needy. As I nonchalantly amble closer, I feel a connection. This just might work!
Suddenly a complication develops, as is often the case in relationships. This time it’s the ducks who apparently don’t like my type. Without giving me a chance, they squawk their disapproval and fly off in a huff. I am immediately worried peer pressure will drag the avocets along. Thankfully they ignore those misplaced conceptions and keep feeding.
The water becomes a moving catwalk.
Just as I am starting to feel confident again, I notice two geese some 75 metres away out on the water. They start a ruckus with all their honking – it turns they don’t like me much either. Why am I getting so much of that lately? I am not fussed if they stay or leave, I just don’t want this extended warning to influence the avocets. They are now the only potential connections left in the neighbourhood.
I walk closer and the infernal honking continues despite the distance and water separating us – no wonder geese don’t have many friends! Hush up already or fly away! Finally the geese honk themselves into a frenzy and leave. Much to my relief the avocets share my opinion of them and ignore it all despite the fact they are much closer to me.
A few more steps and I am in range to take some shots. The avocets clearly understand this whole courtship thing and strut their stuff. They even walk toward me. My heart beats faster or maybe it was the shutter. No wonder I love wildlife photography.
After a wonderful time together, I leave them feeding. I hope they will still be fond of me next time. This could turn into a thing.
No shortage of strutting here!
Every good post ends with a sunset. This time I remembered.
Krahnpix 
These birds are so beautiful!!
LikeLike
They really have some snap to their colour. I enjoyed watching them.
LikeLike
Great Lyle, love the silhouette!
LikeLike
Thanks. It gave me a nice neck curve for that one.
LikeLike
Thats a beautiful set Lyle, cant help but admire the striking colour on the Avocets that you have over there, ours are just black and white but both are wonderful.
LikeLike
It was only when I was doing this post that I came across the black and white ones. It’s funny how a person thinks that what they have seen is normal everywhere. It would be interesting to photograph them as well. These two I stumbled upon were particularly colourful. Thanks for checking them out.
LikeLike
Beautiful. The third shot is spectacular, the color and positioning of the bird mid-step. Very nice.
LikeLike
That’s my favourite as well. Glad you liked it. Those birds really put on an amazing colour display.
LikeLike
We have some here in Hong Kong, but they are a bit drab compared to the shots you have 🙂
LikeLike
It’s interesting how each region has its own special colours.
LikeLike
Awesome series, Lyle! Perfect compositions and so sweet a light. I love #1, 2 and most definitely 4. Fantastic work.
LikeLike
Thanks so much. What a privilege to work with golden light on golden subjects that give the time of day. It was hard not to have a smile on my face.
LikeLike
These Avocet’s are absolutely stunning – colour attitude (via the turned up beak and strut 😉
LikeLike
Glad you liked it. They were definitely putting on a show with attitude. I was happy to watch.
LikeLike
Just beautiful color and light Lyle!
LikeLike
Thanks. A lot of things came together to make it work out pretty well.
LikeLike
WOW! Amazing photographs… Thank you, but let me say this, I can’t read because of the dark colour of your background dear 🙂 Love, nia
LikeLike
oh I can see now… What happened I don’t know but it was almost dark colour… now I can see it is white… Sorry dear. Love, nia
LikeLike
Thanks so much. It was a special moment and I was glad to be there.
LikeLike
Gorgeous
LikeLike
Thanks.
LikeLike
You have captured some great shots of one of favorite birds.
LikeLike
Thanks. They are fine looking bird which makes it more fun to capture.
LikeLike
Definitely an eye catching bird.
LikeLike
Dramatic colours and interesting curves do wonders.
LikeLike
Some glorious photos and clever writing. I always love to see what you will come up with next.
LikeLike
There are some days when the well seems dry that I also wonder what I can possibly come up with. I’m happy to hear this post worked.
LikeLike
Gorgeous shots and a good laugh as always at your anecdotes.
LikeLike
It’s always reassuring to hear that I’m not the only one who finds my anecdotes funny. Appreciate the comment.
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful shots! Good luck with the avocets. I don’t know you personally, but it seems like they would be lucky to get a good catch like you!
LikeLike
Glad you liked the shots. And thanks for the vote of confidence and the smile. I may be biased but I think those avocets and I are a good match!
LikeLike
Nice, Lyle. Very nice.
LikeLike
Thanks.
LikeLike
I was totally captivated by this story and how you wrote it. The shots are par excellent! We don’t have birds like this where I live so this was most definitely a treat. I am in total amazement that these birds let you come within shooting range of them. Thank you so much for this story and these glorious photos. I have been following you, but haven’t see you in my reader. So I am unfollowing with an immediate follow again. I hope this time I find you in my reader. I’m hooked. Love, Amy
LikeLike
I’m glad the story and the photos caught your interest. I was excited about the photos and had to have a little fun with it. These birds have always intrigued me so it was exciting that they let me get closer than usual. Hooked sounds great to me.
LikeLike
Yes, I am hooked. Thank you for being you. Love, Amy
LikeLike
It turns out that’s a lot easier than trying to be someone else!
LikeLike
You are absolutely right! And I speak from experience! xx
LikeLike
Beautiful shots and I just love that golden light.
LikeLike
Thanks. I have become quite a fan of that golden light in the evening.
LikeLike
Your pictures are fantastic and the accompanying text so clever!
LikeLike
Not everyday I get a “clever” so thanks. It was a lot of fun getting those shots.
LikeLike
Sooooooo beautiful! Thank you.
LikeLike
Thanks. They did all the hard work of looking good, I just showed up.
LikeLike
Utterly marvelous. Not even a butt shot in sight. I think you got a thing going there.
LikeLike
It’s amazing the things I find between butt shots! I sure hope you’re right about the thing. Glad you liked them.
LikeLike
Best avocet photos ever! Well done! And…you got cinnamon heads besides!
Very exciting and I enjoyed seeing these beauties very much.
LikeLike
Thanks. I had to google cinnamon heads and ended up at your wonderful flight photo of them. Good to know. I thot they looked particularly colourful.
LikeLike
Wonderful photos! I adore avocets. All those curves.
I am having a hard time picturing you courting humans in this way, though – you approach a woman, and everyone else within 200 meters starts screaming and running away? It would be… entertaining, certainly…
LikeLike
Those curves and the colour really do make them appealing. Happy to hear you like them.
I must say I was thoroughly entertained by your “picture.” That certainly would be entertaining.
LikeLike
Surely the metaphor develops delicately and beautifully (one can virtually hear the rhythms of hearts beating). Of course, it helps when one is able to share such “trophies” afterwards. Whoops, that really sounds juvenile. (The images are wonderful!)
LikeLike
The process of getting the shot is wonderful when all the rhythms work together. Glad you liked the metaphor and the photos. I had to have a little fun with this one – I blame it on the geese.
LikeLike
Scatti fantastici, sono bellissimi e molto bello anche il racconto di come hai vissuto i momenti per fare le foto!!
Ciao, Pat
LikeLike
Living the moments is a great way to describe my encounters with wildlife. It really is a lot of fun. Glad you enjoyed the photos. Thanks of the comments.
LikeLike
Of course your heart would beat faster…love at first encounter will make that happen. Lovely story and I also hope they continue their fondness for you next time, Lyle.
LikeLike
Here’s hoping they do! Glad you enjoyed my over-the-top story. Wildlife definitely keeps the heart going.
LikeLike
superb
LikeLike
thanks
LikeLike
It’s a wonder how frequently the respectful approach can accomplish at least as much as the stealthy stalk, and usually in a fraction of the time. It surely worked out beautifully for you here. What magnificent portraiture!
LikeLike
Glad you liked them. It is fascinating that a respectful approach can be successful on many occasions. Good thing because I’m not very good at stealth!
LikeLike
Very nice post. “No wonder geese have no friends” gave me a nice chuckle. I would really appreciate it if you would check out my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/kbeezyisviral
LikeLike
Happy to hear about the chuckle.
LikeLike
Thse are beautiful Avocet photos, Lyle. Glad they did not spook and fly off on you. Geese are good watch dogs, and pretty noisy.
LikeLike
Thanks so much. They were kind to me this time. I never thot of geese as watch dogs but that’s exactly right.
LikeLike
Great post, the stalking dance.
LikeLike
It is a stalking dance! As long as I don’t step on someone’s toes, it all works well.
LikeLike