OK, we're gonna build up to towards my favorite frames from Monday's phalarope session.
Yesterday, I offered a semi-cluttered two-bird comparison frame as a gateway to introduce the Red-necked variety. For those unfamiliar with
phalaropes, there are three varieties: Wilson's, Red-Necked, and Red. Though all swim to forage, Wilson's is the most terrestrial in two respects.
First, they have the longest legs of the 3 and will often chase insectivorous prey on foot. Second, they stick to freshwater, a circumstance which
generally confines them to the interior of the continent (and away from oceans). Red is by far the most oceanic, most wintering well out to see
when not breeding in the Arctic, and a shore-based sighting anywhere in North America is notable (I've seen a few in coastal CA and thousands
offshore). Red-necked falls somewhere in the middle and can be found on inland lakes, coast, an offshore. Like Red, Red-necked breeds in the Arctic
and migrates to more temperate oceanic latitudes in the winter. I see Red and Red-necked on the pelagic birding tours I lead from Northern
California through September and October. Wilson's are rare but regular on SF Bay, most staying more inland/east.
OK, that's probably more than you ever wanted to know about phalaropes. Recall from yesterday's post that female phalaropes are more brightly
colored than their male counterparts (true for all three species), so I'll start you out with a male to establish a baseline. This individual is at the
least-colorful end of the spectrum - even for males - but giving you this guy first will make subsequent shots sing (at least I hope).
Note the black ear patch and lack of a full, slate-colored crown. Those are the best field marks to separated this male from the females I'm
holding in reserve.
Canon 600mm f/4 IS II on EOS 1DX2
1/2500 at f/7.1 ISO 800
Processed in LR CC. Cloned a few small distracting irregularities on water's surface