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larose forest photos | all galleries >> WILDLIFE (including birds, mammals and reptiles and amphibians) (18 Galleries) >> BIRDS around the Ottawa Valley (27 sub-galleries) >> Shorebirds > American woodcock juvenile
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29-MAY-2016 Christine Hanrahan

American woodcock juvenile

I was walking along the edge of a woodland this morning, looking for insects. At one point I stopped to photograph a Calligraphic Beetle on a willow shrub. As I started to walk around the shrub a loud whirring of wings caused me to falter, one foot in the air. I looked down... right under where my foot would have landed was this little beauty... Mum had waited until the last second to fly away and there was the lone baby. I did an awkward backstep and managed not to land on this bird. I took a few photos, and quickly left, still a bit freaked out that I nearly stepped on this little guy. The photos are not great but then I wasn't going to disturb the bird just for a photo. It ain't worth it! This youngster just sat as still as could be, relying, just as the adults do, on their wonderful camouflage to avoid detection. Fortunately, this was a long, long way from any trail and I doubt anyone would be walking there, so it should be safe from humans and dogs at least, if not from natural predators.

Panasonic LUMIX FZ200
1/125s f/3.5 at 9.8mm iso100 full exif

other sizes: small medium large original auto
Missed Opportunities19-Mar-2024 20:38
I like the story details almost as much as this great image!
Don29-May-2016 22:27
Actually, I think this is a great photo, perfectly focused through the grass and showing well how camouflaged the woodcock is.
Ghislaine et Réal Boulet29-May-2016 20:18
Great find and picture.
Chris Morton29-May-2016 20:14
you are so good at detecting everything, however well its camouflaged
Carl Carbone29-May-2016 19:57
You got a picture of it how it should be in its natural environment! :-) Beautiful encounter.
globalgadabout29-May-2016 18:53
sounds a thrilling encounter...the chick does look vulnerable..
Jim Coffman29-May-2016 17:45
Sure glad you didn't step on it! Nice image, Christine...
Helen Betts29-May-2016 17:41
What a story, and a great capture to go along with it. I'm so happy you saw the baby before stepping! V.
hayl29-May-2016 17:16
What a once in a life time experience. These birds are so shy and you've got a wonderful photo of the baby.
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