outdoor photography

Willet At first glance, Willets may seem drab and boring.  But instead, I think they personify subtle beauty.  These are relatively large shorebirds and they don't seem too skittish about people, so you can often get a pretty good look at them.  And when they fly you get to see that distinctive black and white pattern on their wings, which make them all the more interesting to watch. Willet Willet Willet Willet Willet Willet Willet Willets

Willets Coming in for a Landing If you only look at Willets when they are wading, you might not think too much of them.  They are somewhat nondescript gray or mottled brown, and in the winter they have a smoother gray appearance.  To my colorblind eyes, they appear not to have a splash of color on them.  When I was new to birding, I was happy to check this species off as a new "lifer," but I didn't give them much of a second thought.  Then one day I saw them flying.  The outside of their wings are a deep black with a brilliant white stripe.  This is even more apparent on the underside of their wings than on the tops of their wings. Willet If you're not familiar with observing birds, you may wonder how this could be.  How could those feathers be so visible in flight, but invisible when the birds are standing?  Let me venture a quick and simple answer if you're interested.  Birds have three groupings of flight feathers.  The oute...