Lesser Yellowlegs

[Roy Priest]

Taken this morning at the Gilbert Water Ranch in Arizona. Highlight for me was seeing the feral Lovebirds and an immature male Peregrine.

D700, Nikon 500F4 with 1.4 TC, ISO 640, F6.3, 1/2000. Tripod

[Arthur Morris]

Nice wing stretch with a good view of the dorsal surface of the near wing and the cocked tail. The grasses in the relatively distant BKGR are OK but the broken stalks right under the bird are distracting. The light looked high in the sky.

I believe that the bird is a worn juvenile Short-billed Dowitcher. It is not a yellowlegs of any kind. I keep telling folks to get and study a copy of Shorebirds; Beautiful Beachcombers if they wish to learn to age and identify North American shorebirds but only a few have listened.

[Roy Priest]

Thanks Artie, I am terrible at shorebirds and forgot my books at home. I don't have that one so I will order it. I am in Arizona for another 3 weeks looking to buy a house.

[Arthur Morris]

YAW. Good luck with the house and don't forget your sun-protective hats and clothing!

[Roy Priest]

When I'm in the hot sun I wear long sleeved shirts and my fly fishing hat (long brim, sides and back. I also wear cotton gloves if I am outside for quite a while Hate getting burned.

[Arthur Morris]

Way to go and me too.

[Ian Cassell]

Hey, Roy! You're shooting at my favorite local spot! I like the unusual pose, but agree with Artie about those stalks under the bird. I've never seen a peregrine there, so will need to keep eyes open :) Do I take this to mean you're moving to the area? If so, I look forward to meeting you!

[Roy Priest]

Ian, we are hoping to move to Johnson Ranch in the San Tan Valley. Got a couple of offers in but these short sales are brutal. When I was here last December I also saw two Peregrines near the Zoo early one morning. I'll be around for 3 more weeks and I'm open in the mornings, maybe we can meet up?

[Roy Priest]

Is this better

[Cheryl Arena Molennor]

I very much prefer the repost as those grasses were distracting to me. I see a horizontal line near the top of the lifted leg. Great wing spread and leg lift as well as a beautiful setting.

[Stu Bowie]

Roy, your repost rocks. Good low angle and I like the feeding pose with the raised leg. Good luck with house hunting.

[Mital Patel]

this is excellent wing shot here Roy, and yes the repost makes it more interesting.

[Arthur Morris]

Hey Roy, Good job on the clean-up.