View allAll Photos Tagged RedNeckedPhalarope
Steig | South Iceland
What a fantastic fearless little bird.
The Red-necked Phalarope was on my Iceland ‘target list’. We were three days into our week’s trip when we had our first close sighting. There were nine birds all feeding close into the shore in a small pond. This is the first time I’d seen them and I couldn’t believe how tiny they were (only about 200mm long at most). I was so convinced that they would fly that I took a couple of quick longish-range ‘record shots’ before trying to creep closer. I took a couple of more shots and then moved closer still. To my surprise the birds ignored me, so I went right up to the water’s edge. It was incredible as they just kept feeding and swimming right past me. It then got silly as they were so close I couldn’t focus on them! Needless to say I got a number of good shots. Over the following days we had another three really good encounters and each time the birds behaved the same as the first group. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that I could have tried to pick them up they were that close. So, I now have 80 great images of this species that started as a ‘target’ and has finished as a new favourite bird.
Phalaropes are unusual amongst birds in being polyandrous, i.e. one female taking multiple male mates, while males mate with only one female. The females are larger and more brightly coloured than the males whom they pursue and fight over. They then defend them from other females until the male begins incubation of the clutch. Males perform all incubation and look after the chicks.
They are also unusual in spending most of the time outside the breeding season well out at sea. Their method of feeding is also unique, swimming in a small, rapid circle to form a small whirlpool from which they pick small insects or crustaceans.
Red-necked phalaropes are rare in Britain, only breeding in very small numbers in Shetland and the Outer Hebrides, and undertaking a huge migration to winter in South America.
Red-necked Phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus), Tianliaoyang, Taiwan
Ebird checklist:
ebird.org/ebird/view/checklist?subID=S28134531
The red-necked phalarope (Phalaropus lobatus) is a small wader. This phalarope breeds in the Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia. It is migratory, and, unusually for a wader, winters at sea on tropical oceans.
Source: Wikipedia
Another beauty I have photographed before but only in winter or it's eclipse plumage's. This is the Male of this species. The female is even more colorful at this time of year than the male, One of the few Species in the bird world where the female has more coloration than the male.
These guys were everywhere early on, in just about every pond. But thinned quickly as they got busy nesting versus foraging in the many ponds and lakes of the region.
So cool seeing them on breeding territory in there fresh breeding plumage, An amazing transformation, Just another one of natures true miracles.
This was from the first evening of the trip, That night was special for many reasons, The light, The newness of a new area, special people, and Matthew wanting to get rite after things. I know everyone enjoyed themselves. It's a special place.
Many thanks Matthew for a GREAT Trip!
Two Willets and a Red-Necked Phalarope. The RNP is a life bird for me. I was videoing a Willet taking a bath and preening, when the RNP video-bombed. It's a long video 3.50. The RNP comes in at 1:17. Bombay Hook 5/18/18
I'm not the best at videoing, and it was with my little Canon SX50HS. It's kinda choppy.
9/3/18: Just now getting around to tagging and making this public.
Steig | South Iceland
What a fantastic fearless little bird.
The Red-necked Phalarope was on my Iceland ‘target list’. We were three days into our week’s trip when we had our first close sighting. There were nine birds all feeding close into the shore in a small pond. This is the first time I’d seen them and I couldn’t believe how tiny they were (only about 200mm long at most). I was so convinced that they would fly that I took a couple of quick longish-range ‘record shots’ before trying to creep closer. I took a couple of more shots and then moved closer still. To my surprise the birds ignored me, so I went right up to the water’s edge. It was incredible as they just kept feeding and swimming right past me. It then got silly as they were so close I couldn’t focus on them! Needless to say I got a number of good shots. Over the following days we had another three really good encounters and each time the birds behaved the same as the first group. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that I could have tried to pick them up they were that close. So, I now have 80 great images of this species that started as a ‘target’ and has finished as a new favourite bird.
On my recent visit to Shetland we were extremely lucky to get the opportunity to photograph Red-necked phalarope, Shetland has about 20-30 breeding pairs which just about covers the whole of the U.K's breeding population. These beautiful wee birds are part of the wader family and Shetland is the furthest south of their breeding range.
They are extremely busy wee things and are delightfully dainty, unfortunately the two occasions we photographed them the light wasn't too favourable. These birds weren't breeding at this exact location so we didn't cause any disturbance to the nest site, we also spent no more than 5 mins at each session, not that we seemed to bother them as they came right up to where we were!
These are sure beautiful when in full breeding plumage. One of my favorite Shorebirds.
Anyone who has photographed them know how challenging they are with there zig zag motion pattern when foraging for food.
This is pretty close to full frame, Ideally I would like a lil extra room around the bird but thought I would present it as is.