ML363576841

Age

Not specified

Sex

Not specified

Observation details

As I had just left my car, I walked past a large puddle heading for the boat launch. Just as I passed the puddle I was startled by the loud call of a Whimbrel overhead. I looked up and saw a Whimbrel flying from the direction of the marsh, coming down and landing in the parking lot by the large puddle I was now standing next to. I froze, as this was by far the closest I have ever been to a Whimbrel. It was aware that I had stopped walking. As it became comfortable with my presence I slowly lifted my camera ( which it noticed as well) and began taking photos of it. I never moved from the spot where I was standing while I got to see it drink and possibly forage, although all I ever saw it pick up looked like a pebble. Maybe it thought it had something better? After spending about three or four minutes at the puddle it called again as it took off, first heading south toward the shoreline then banking east. It flew eastward along the shoreline, at the same time gaining altitude to about 25-30 feet above the ground. After watching it fly for about 15-20 seconds it disappeared from view. Awesome experience!

Technical information

Model

Canon EOS 90D

Lens

EF100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS II USM

ISO

200

Focal length

400 mm

Flash

Flash did not fire

f-stop

f/6.3

Shutter speed

1/640 sec

Dimensions

4537 pixels x 2503 pixels

Original file size

2.17 MB