Today I’m sharing a fun photo I took of a Wilson’s Snipe trying desperately to sneak in a nap near the auto tour road at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge. This wetland area has attracted small flocks of snipe this fall, providing visitors close-up sightings from vehicles along the road.
One thing that truly amazed me was the Wilson’s Snipe’s nonchalant attitude towards passing traffic. Despite the hustle and bustle of vehicles on the road, these birds remained remarkably close, showcasing a level of comfort that’s quite uncommon.
If you’re patient and careful, you can park your vehicle near these beautiful creatures and get some stunning photographs. As evidenced by today’s photo, I managed to get an extreme close-up of the Wilson’s Snipe. Sure, I cropped the image a bit, but not too much – preserving the natural beauty of the moment.
As a crepuscular species most active at dawn and dusk, Wilson’s Snipe typically sleep through much of the daytime hours. Their preferred napping position is standing on one leg with their beaks tucked into their back feathers for warmth and comfort.
Next time you find yourself at Sequoyah National Wildlife Refuge, keep an eye out for these charming Wilson’s Snipes. With a bit of patience and respect for their space, you might just witness these incredible birds taking a break from their busy lives. Until then, happy wildlife watching, and may your camera capture the magic of nature!
Image Information:
- Date: 12/03/23
- Time: 11:07 AM
- Camera: Canon EOS R7
- Lens: Canon RF 800mm F11
- ISO: 1600
- Aperture: 11
- Shutter: 1/1000
- Exp. Comp.:+0.3
- Lens (mm): 800
- Program Mode: Manual