Last week, I made a trip to South Platte Park for some bird photography. During the winter months, many duck species can be found at this location. During a previous visit, some Kildeer were having some interesting interactions that I had witnessed. Maybe I would see something different this time?
On this day, Kildeer were wading along the sandbar and river side. There was another shorebird moving close to the Kildeer. With a long straight bill, this looked like maybe a snipe or a dowitcher?
One getting home, I confirmed that this bird was a Wilson’s Snipe. I don’t recall seeing one along this stretch of the river previously. Both Kildeer and Snipe are well-camouflaged, especially against the sandbar and muddy shore. Easy to miss when they are not moving.
I decided to wait and see whether the Snipe would move out into the water. Yes. And a captured this image with its long straight bill.
Soon both the Snipe and Killdeer were working along the shore, foraging for food in the mud.
I was watching and waiting to see what would happen. Unexpectedly, another Snipe (No. 2) came running in from the left hand side of this pair. I managed to capture one image of this second snipe with its foot raised in the air.
Again, I just watched and waiting until Snipe No. 2. Maybe it would head for open water?
Yes. And I managed to capture a decent reflection as this bird stepped through the water.
What luck! Two Wilson’s Snipe.