Long-Billed Curlews at Malheur

I spent two or three years at the coast looking for Long-Billed Curlews without any luck. So last year when I got a distant shot of one at Malheur I was thrilled. This year, though, I wasn’t nearly as happy when I saw this one in the distance even though it was much closer and I got a better shot.

Long-Billed Curlew

It seems to be human nature to always want more than we have. Photographically, that means I want more than just a shot of a curlew walking across the grass.

I was a lot happier, though, when I caught a picture of this curlew with its wings spread out in the sunshine.

Long-Billed Curlew

If you can’t catch a picture of one actually flying, this is the next best thing.

Later, though, I got an even better series of shots when I was attracted by one curlew’s persistent “call.”

Long-Billed Curlews

Though I could never figure out exactly was going on these three had a squabble that went on for quite a while. Two of the curlews seemed determined to drive the third off, though they never actually touched each other. No matter, it made for some

Long-Billed Curlews

dramatic shots.

Long-Billed Curlews

I never did see what happened in the end. When I decided to leave after nearly fifteen minutes, the bird they were trying to chase away was still voicing its displeasure.

Long-Billed Curlew