"White Faced Ibis in Flight"
By: Micheal Lee (Janesville, CA)
The white-faced ibis (Plegadis chihi) is a pretty, if a bit goofy-looking wading bird. In this, the non-breeding plumage, they look very similar to their cousin the glossy ibis which cruises through my home area on its migration each year (often in droves). This bird isn’t what I’d call rare, but I don’t see them very often, and when I do they typically have a knack for being in terrible light. Nice light makes all the difference for a picture of a bird like this, as that wonderful iridescence on its wing feathers gets washed out and disappears when the light isn't at the correct angle. On this warm August morning, I spent the first hour of daylight at Shugru Reservoir, which is all of a 10-minute drive from my house. This little pool of water is actually right across the road from the county dump in what is known as the Bass Hill Wildlife Area in Lassen County, California (beauty is where you find it!). When it’s hot and the reservoir is holding water (it doesn’t always last all summer), it’s common to see a plethora of bird species there, including a number of shore and wading birds. I’ve even seen mule deer wading in it to cool off but, again, almost always in the harsh light of mid-day. This bird was nice enough to fly in, land and forage very close to where I’d sat down in the bushes under a camouflage net. This frame was right before it touched down as the low morning light was hitting its iridescent wings wonderfully.
Camera Information: Canon R7 - Canon EF100-400II +1.4XIII
Image Location: Janesville California
Category: Live Wildlife
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