Sproing!

[Loupey]

It was fun following the semipalmated plover around. It was a great gatherer but, being so small, it had a tough time pulling the worms out. Often, there was a true tug-of-war as the plover would make some ground but then lose ground as the worm would contract.

Wasn't able to get a single great shot but I did get this sequence which is fun I think.

[WsW-WYATT-EARP]

Man that is just AWESOME!!! Especially how it turned its head and is looking right at ya !! You must have the patience of a saint !!!!

[AgingEyes]

You shot it with a 500mm?

I just wonder how you could get so close if you did. I haven't been able to so far.

[Loupey]

Ben - thank you. Normally the plover goes up and back but this one was too long I guess. The shot wouldn't have worked at all if she hadn't turned my way. Thanks for noticing.

AE - yes the 500mm. The marsh is just a puddle now so it's easy to follow it around. Not very timid either - much more approachable than any killdeer.

[Eric D]

Excellent shots!! Great timing on the feeding!! That second picture really shows his pulling motion!!

[mn shutterbug]

Awesome captures. This reminds me of when I used to pick up night crawlers for fishing. Sometimes I'd win, sometimes they'd win, and sometimes I'd break them in half.

[readingr]

I just commented on the tug of war in the previous post but this takes it to an awe inspiring stage.

You nailed it old friend - "I am not worthy"

Roger

[Chunk]

That's as good as it gets, Loupey. You can put your cameras away now.

[Grandpaw]

I like the way the legs of the bird in the first shot show it leaning back. This emphasizes the strain in getting the worm. Nice shots, Jeff

[scott-devon]

Man that is just AWESOME!!! Especially how it turned its head and is looking right at ya !! You must have the patience of a saint !!!!

Bahahahha! See? I'm not the only one that thinks so....
;)

Seriously though, this is a great series. Love how the legs are braced in the first shot and how the one leg is off the ground at the release of all the tension in the second shot. Fantastic...

[Alison]

Wow! Amazing shots Loupey!!!

[Canuck935]

Hahaha that's awesome. I love how the worm has that classic coil spring look and the motion blur on it showing the "sproing" action. Nicely done!

[AgingEyes]

much more approachable than any killdeer.

One thing I found out about killdeer is it would follow you (like what the crows do sometimes) until you leave its territory. At least that's what I figured. I once followed by a killdeer. It went like this: I saw that killdeer and started approaching it. It saw me and it kept a distance from me. After a couple of tries, I started to leave. Then I heard some "dee..dee" sound from behind me and then saw it flying circles around me. After a while, it landed some distance away. When I approached again, it kept its distance. When I started walking away, it took off and flew around me again.That repeated a couple more times until, I think, it was happy that I was out of its turf. Have to say that it was good for practicing flight shots though.

[slayer7124]

Haha! What an excellent little series.

[OBie]

Haha! These area great! I half expected to see a third shot of the plover sitting on it's backside, worm dangling limply from it's beak.
Alert National Geographic - they'd love your work!

[gahspidy]

Fun indeed, always great to view your work. These came out excellent.

[Loupey]

Wow! Thanks for all the wonderful responses! You all are great!

Watching & photographing fun and natural events like this unfold give me incredible joy. I'm happy that I was able to do it justice. I'm thrilled that you all enjoyed it

[Cassie1]

Amazing shots Loupey, simply amazing.

[paulnj]

Those are some awesome images!!