The Long-billed Dowitcher

Late Thursday afternoon when the sun made its appearance, I swung by the Union Bay Natural Area to take a look around and see what was going on. I headed down Wahkiakum Lane towards Shoveler's Pond and I could hear the swallows before I saw them. They were sort of swirling above the water and I felt like I could actually see the wind. I always feel like that when I see groups of swallows and pause to watch them. I know what the wind is doing by watching their flight patterns and those patterns dictate where I plant myself when I'm going to attempt to photograph them in flight. It can be a dizzying experience to try to catch them in the act. I stand and watch them to get a feel for the rhythm of their movements and flight paths. While they have similar flights and swoops, the individual birds have a lot of variation in the patterns they prefer to fly. Some seem fond of the long figure eight pattern while others seem to fly a simple loop pattern. I noticed at least one bird that reminded me of flying S patterns while taking flying lessons. I panned and zoomed, making adjustments to my shutter speed, aperture, and focus points, pretending that I could actually do something to make those shots possible. I know that the shots aren't IMPOSSIBLE because I've gotten them before, however, it has proven to be one of the more difficult shots to capture. I'm always looking for a better shot or something that really connects with me. I can't describe it, I only know that I know it when I see it.

After getting dizzy on the swallows for a bit, I continued over towards the main pond to see what was going on over there. A Killdeer complained and protested as I passed by on the path on the way to the pond. Generally speaking, if I even LOOK at one of the Killdeer, they will begin to rattle and trill and act as if I'm the most dangerous thing they've seen in a long time. The reality is, they complain about just about everything, and I actually think of them as tattle tails. They sound their alarms and oftentimes scare away birds that I'm hoping to photograph. It's been my experience that American Robins do the same thing.

It was fairly quiet at the main pond and as I scanned the shore on the opposite side, my eyes were drawn to movement at the water's edge. At first glance I knew it was a Dowitcher, although I wasn't certain which kind from that far way. I headed towards the path that leads to the opposite shore in hopes of getting some shots of the Dowitcher. I walked softly as I made my way around the pond and didn't make any sudden movements. Body language seems to be one of the biggest factors when photographing wild animals. Some animals are very spooky and won't let you get anywhere near them. Others can be approached fairly easily and you can get as many shots as you'd like. It isn't all about my body language, although that plays a role as well. I read their body language and quickly understand whether there is a chance or not. The whole process requires an endless supply of patience. Some days I have it and others I don't. When I saw the Dowitcher, I knew that I had to get it right or that there may not be a second opportunity. There was only one bird and I rarely ever see them. Another Killdeer began complaining as I made my way closer and I stopped until it ceased vocalizing. By this time the Dowitcher was aware of my presence and it was watching me very closely. I don't think that the bird was spooky by nature, but I do think it was in a spooky mood because of how uptight the Killdeer was. I aimed and took a quick shot in case I wouldn't get another opportunity. I knew that it was too far away to be a really great shot but it was better than nothing. The Killdeer decided that I had committed a Capital Offense and vocalized as it took flight towards the other side of the pond. The Dowitcher decided to do the same thing and I figured it wasn't going to work out. Just in case, I went over and crouched behind some vegetation that only partially obscured me and hoped for the best. Within a couple of minutes, the Dowitcher flew back over and landed near the water's edge. It stood staring at me for a long time. I remained completely still aside from blinking and watched for signs that the bird might relax a little. I felt like we were having a staring contest or something. After what seemed like an eternity, the Dowitcher began foraging in the soft mud at the edge of the pond. I remained still as it glanced in my direction frequently. I made sure that my lens was up and ready before the bird ever came over and landed because I knew that raising it afterwards would spook the bird yet again. I moved the lens slowly, bringing the bird into frame and focused. It was a beautiful bird. I watched as it moved a little closer and when I thought it might not get any closer, I took the shot and waited for the response to the shutter release. The Dowitcher didn't seem phased by the sound, opening the door for more opportunities. Just to test my patience, some Tree Swallows flew slowly overhead. I could visibly SEE the shots that I had been attempting to capture earlier slip away. I told myself to stay with the Dowitcher and that the swallows would be there all the time. I had been crouching for a very long time and my knees began to throb and I was losing circulation to my feet. I began shifting my weight and attempting to make things better without standing up and scaring the bird away. Every time I shifted my weight, the Dowitcher would stop what it was doing and look at me. I exhaled and knew that I couldn't stay like that much longer. Visions of blood clots and pulmonary embolisms started to come to mind. Really, I was just looking for a good reason to stand up. The Dowitcher never did come quite close enough for a really great shot, but I was able to get a few that I liked and it was going to have to do. When I finally did stand up, I had to rest my hand on a stake in front of me in order to straighten my legs. Pain shot through my knees and walking was entirely out of the question for a short period of time. I stood there feeling the blood returning to my feet and I wasn't exactly savoring the pins and needles sensation that accompanied the process. When I stood, the Dowitcher took off as I had anticipated, flying in a large loop over the pond. It flew over and landed on the other side and I decided to move on. My knees were shot anyway and I didn't think that I was going to have any better luck on the other side.

Was it worth it? It's debatable. Today I required advil for the knees and I didn't really have any eye popping shots of the Dowitcher. At least I tried.

Today I went back over there for a bit in the afternoon to see what was going on. I accomplished a few things in the process I suppose. I got sunburned, came in contact with some plant or tree that I am allergic to and I didn't do anything that would help the plight of my knees. I did get a few nice Spotted Towhee shots on my way out though, so it's all good.

I guess I need to get some SPF 85 and hope for the best. As for the allergic reaction - there really isn't anything to be done about that. I took benedryl and I'll just have to ride it out. I don't know what planet I was meant to live on, but it's clearly not this one. I have far more sensitivities than I can count. I don't allow it to keep me from doing the things that I love and I suppose that's as good as it gets.