Willet
Tringa semipalmata
Western Willets can be found year-round in San Diego, though only non-breeders stay for the summer. Breeding occurs in the Great Basin, central Rocky Mountains and northern prairies. When seen foraging or loafing on land, these birds are plain looking. They show no bold markings to call attention to themselves. But when they take flight, their wings spread to show a flash of black and white bars and the impression is quite surprising and pleasing.
Science recognises two subspecies of Willet breeding in North America:
- T. s. inornata, or Western Willet, breeds in freshwater habitats of the interior western USA and Canada’s prairie provinces.
- T. s. semipalmata, or Eastern Willet, breeds on the Atlantic coast and the Gulf of Mexico and north to Newfoundland in Canada.
Some scientists believe these two forms deserve full species status. In winter these birds may travel as far as the Pacific coast of South America, even below the equator.
When I was on my way to Alaska in 2005, I found a pair of breeding birds near Lake Crowley in California. I wasn’t looking for them, but they were raising a ruckus. I left my vehicle parked on the dirt track I was exploring and walked out through the sage to meet them. After collecting a few images as they posed atop the sage, I walked back to my Samurai and halfway to my rig I discovered what all the fuss was about. Lying on open ground, with no sign of nest preparation, was a single egg. It was right on the trail back to the Samurai and I might have easily trodden on it had I not been watching my step.
During my spring 2020 expedition to Texas, I met Willets at Aransas NWR and in Rockport during March on the central gulf coast, and later in May at Bahia Grande between Brownsville and Port Isabel. The March birds could have been Eastern Willets or overwintering Western Willets, but May birds were most likely Eastern Willets on their breeding grounds.
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology in Camarillo, California USA 2011-11-01. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:01 13:38 |
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Location:
w F V Z |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/8.0, 1/3 |
File Name: D3X4488-Willet |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology in Camarillo, California USA 2011-11-01. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:01 13:42 |
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Location:
w F V Z |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/8.0, 1/3 |
File Name: D3X4494-Willet |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: Perched on Sage, near 'nest'. Upper Owens River Valley, California. |
Date Taken: 2005:05:18 7:52 |
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Location:
Crowley Lake |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 340 mm, f/16.0, 1/80 |
File Name: JCD1515Willet |
| © 2005 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) Perched on Sage, near 'nest'. In walking back to the vehicle after photographing the birds, I found an egg on open ground (no apparent nesting signs). Upper Owens River Valley, California USA 2005-05-18. |
Date Taken: 2005:05:18 7:52 |
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Location:
Benton Crossing |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 440 mm, f/16.0, 1/160 |
File Name: JCD1529Willet |
| © 2005 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) Perched on Sage, near 'nest'. In walking back to the vehicle after photographing the birds, I found an egg on open ground (no apparent nesting signs). Upper Owens River Valley, California USA 2005-05-18. |
Date Taken: 2005:05:18 7:53 |
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Location:
Benton Crossing |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 440 mm, f/16.0, 1/160 |
File Name: JCD1539Willet |
| © 2005 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: In walking back to the vehicle after photographing the parent birds, I found this egg on open ground (no apparent nesting signs). Upper Owens River Valley, California USA 2005-05-18. |
Date Taken: 2005:05:18 7:58 |
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Location:
Benton Crossing |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 280 mm, f/16.0, 1/45 |
File Name: JCD1550-53-WilletEgg |
| © 2005 Jack Daynes, shadetree-imaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: These birds appear rather plain until they raise their wings. (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) Chased by waves on the beach at Border Field. The most extreme Southwest corner of the USA. San Diego County, California USA 2008-10-05. |
Date Taken: 2008:10:05 11:09 |
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Location:
Border Field |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/3200 |
File Name: jcd2069Willet |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, www.shadetree-imaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: Foraging on the beach at Border Field. The most extreme Southwest corner of the USA. San Diego County, California USA 2008-10-05. |
Date Taken: 2008:10:05 11:10 |
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Location:
Border Field |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/3200 |
File Name: jcd2095Willet |
| © 2008 Jack Daynes, www.shadetree-imaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) Loafing on the marsh by “J“ Street in Chula Vista at South San Diego Bay, California USA 2006-03-16. |
Date Taken: 2006:03:16 8:41 |
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Location:
J-Street |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 280 mm, f/5.6, 1/200 |
File Name: JCD2264Willet |
| © 2006 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) Foraging by the kelp washed up on the beach near the Tijuana River Mouth. Extreme South West San Diego County, California USA 2009-04-24. |
Date Taken: 2009:04:24 10:19 |
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Location:
Open Ocean |
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Camera Information: NIKON D2X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/1500 |
File Name: JCD6509.Willet |
| © 2009 - Jack Daynes - shadeTree Imaging |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: Upper Owens River Valley, near Lake Crowley. Mono County, California. |
Date Taken: 2011:05:29 11:06 |
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Location:
Whitmore Hot Springs |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 |
File Name: JCD8864-Willet |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: Along the Southeastern shoreline of the Salton Sea near the intersection of Lack and Lindsey Roads in Imperial County California. |
Date Taken: 2019:10:11 8:54 |
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Location:
Lack-and-Lindsey-Roads |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: Willet_D5X0573-LackLindsey |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: Imperial Beach, San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:03:21 10:47 |
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Location:
Imperial Beach |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1600 |
File Name: D3X1928-Willet |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: These young Willets were chasing the waves like Sanderlings, searching for mole crabs. Our beach at the border with Mexico can be a productive place to meet birdlife. Imperial Beach, California in San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2019:09:06 15:09 |
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Location:
Border Field |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: Willet_D5X9150-BorderField |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: These young Willets were chasing the waves like Sanderlings, searching for mole crabs. Our beach at the border with Mexico can be a productive place to meet birdlife. Imperial Beach, California in San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2019:09:06 15:08 |
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Location:
Border Field |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: Willet_D5X9118-BorderField |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: These young Willets were chasing the waves like Sanderlings, searching for mole crabs. Our beach at the border with Mexico can be a productive place to meet birdlife. Imperial Beach, California in San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2019:09:06 15:07 |
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Location:
Border Field |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: Willet_D5X9011-BorderField |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: These young Willets were chasing the waves like Sanderlings, searching for mole crabs. Our beach at the border with Mexico can be a productive place to meet birdlife. Imperial Beach, California in San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2019:09:06 15:08 |
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Location:
Border Field |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: Willet_D5X9077-BorderField |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: Imperial Beach, San Diego, California. |
Date Taken: 2013:03:21 10:47 |
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Location:
Imperial Beach |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X1930-Willet |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: Mixed flock with Marbled Godwits at the beach by Border Field and the Tijuana River Mouth in Imperial Beach, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:08:23 10:25 |
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Location:
Border Field |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/3200 |
File Name: D3X1825-Willet-MixedFlock |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: Chula Vista Bayfront Park, Chula Vista, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:08:23 6:21 |
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Location:
J-Street |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/800 |
File Name: D3X1499-Willet |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Willet(Tringa semipalmata) |
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Description: As we passed by the marshes, we sometimes kicked up a foraging Willet or two. This was my third day of exploration at Aransas NWR. It was a memorable one. I boarded the tour boat the "Skimmer" and got schooled by Captain Tommy Moore on a three plus hour cruise of the back-bays and waterways beyond the view of the public from the tour roads on the reserve. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:17 10:23 |
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Location:
Aransas NWR |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/800 |
File Name: Willet_D503573-BoatRide-Aransas-NWR |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Tringa semipalmata) |
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Description: The small rocky point on the bay attracted many birds (it must have been good fishing there). I met these birds after my third day of exploration of Aransas NWR aboard the "Skimmer". There was still time left in the day for explorations. I found a nice place to park next to Little Bay and photograph local resident birds. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:17 17:28 |
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Location:
Little Bay |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: Willet_D505088-Rockport-TX |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Tringa semipalmata) |
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Description: The small rocky point on the bay attracted many birds (it must have been good fishing there). I met these birds after my third day of exploration of Aransas NWR aboard the "Skimmer". There was still time left in the day for explorations. I found a nice place to park next to Little Bay and photograph local resident birds. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:17 17:52 |
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Location:
Little Bay |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1250 |
File Name: Willet_D505394-Rockport-TX |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Tringa semipalmata) |
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Description: The small rocky point on the bay attracted many birds (it must have been good fishing there). I met these birds after my third day of exploration of Aransas NWR aboard the "Skimmer". There was still time left in the day for explorations. I found a nice place to park next to Little Bay and photograph local resident birds. |
Date Taken: 2020:03:17 17:59 |
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Location:
Little Bay |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 550 mm, f/8.0, 1/1000 |
File Name: Willet_D505477-Rockport-TX |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Tringa semipalmata) |
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Description: I met these Eastern Willets on my second to last day in Brownsville Texas, who unlike their Western cousins, will nest in this region. I spent the morning along the road to Port Isabel looking in vain for Least Grebes. |
Date Taken: 2020:05:06 11:04 |
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Location:
Bahia Grande |
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Camera Information: NIKON D500, 800 mm, f/6.3, 1/5000 |
File Name: EasternWillet_D503499-Bahia-Grande-TX |
| © 2020 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: Along the Southeastern shoreline of the Salton Sea near the intersection of Lack and Lindsey Roads in Imperial County California. |
Date Taken: 2019:10:11 8:54 |
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Location:
Lack-and-Lindsey-Roads |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: Willet_D5X0571-LackLindsey |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: These young Willets were chasing the waves like Sanderlings, searching for mole crabs. Our beach at the border with Mexico can be a productive place to meet birdlife. Imperial Beach, California in San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2019:09:06 15:06 |
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Location:
Border Field |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: Willet_D5X8993-BorderField |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: Willets are regular visitors to this beach. Our beach at the border with Mexico can be a productive place to meet birdlife. Imperial Beach, California in San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2019:09:06 15:05 |
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Location:
Border Field |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/4000 |
File Name: Willet_D5X8919-BorderField |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: A day at the Saltworks, part of the San Diego National Wildlife Complex. Near Imperial Beach, California. |
Date Taken: 2015:08:19 11:19 |
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Location:
Saltworks |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2500 |
File Name: D3X4733-Willet |
| © 2015 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: These young Willets were chasing the waves like Sanderlings, searching for mole crabs. Our beach at the border with Mexico can be a productive place to meet birdlife. Imperial Beach, California in San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2019:09:06 15:08 |
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Location:
Border Field |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/5000 |
File Name: Willet_D5X9108-BorderField |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: Willets are regular visitors to this beach. Our beach at the border with Mexico can be a productive place to meet birdlife. Imperial Beach, California in San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2019:09:06 15:01 |
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Location:
Bird and Butterfly Garden |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: Willet_D5X8767-BorderField |
| © 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: (Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) Part of the collection at the Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology in Camarillo, California USA 2011-11-01. |
Date Taken: 2011:11:01 13:41 |
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Location:
w F V Z |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 105 mm, f/8.0, 1/3 |
File Name: D3X4492-Willet |
| © 2011 Jack Daynes, shadeTree Imaging |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: Tijuana River Mouth in Imperial Beach, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:04:04 8:37 |
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Location:
Tijuana River Mouth |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/1250 |
File Name: D3X3225-Willet |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging.com |
Willet(Catoptrophorus semipalmatus) |
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Description: Tijuana River Mouth in Imperial Beach, California. San Diego County. |
Date Taken: 2013:05:11 8:24 |
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Location:
Tijuana River Mouth |
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Camera Information: NIKON D3X, 800 mm, f/5.6, 1/5000 |
File Name: D3X7050-Willet |
| © 2013 Jack Daynes, shadeTree-Imaging |
Willet(Tringa semipalmata) |
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Description: Among the waders, gulls and other shorebirds, I met a few Willets in the shallow mangrove-lined waters of Laguna Madre. There are wetlands that the South Padre Island Convention Centre (free access) and the Birding & Nature Center (admission fee required) share. My previous visits to the wetlands had been to the Convention Centre. On this day I would find out why folks pay money to see the marsh, when there is free access next door. |
Date Taken: 2021:02:08 10:10 |
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Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/11.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Willet_D5X0295SouthPadre-WBC |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Tringa semipalmata) |
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Description: Willets loved loafing near the Tiki Island boat launch. On Wednesday (2021-03-03) I drove from Aransas NWR to Galveston. I pulled off the freeway at Tiki Island, where it was my good fortune to meet a Coast Warden for Texas Audubon, as he was loading his boat onto its trailer. He was generous enough to offer to take me with him on his rounds to monitor nesting islands in West Bay the next day. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:04 14:20 |
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Location:
Tiki Island |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: Willet_D5X8309-Tiki-Island_Galveston-TX |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Tringa semipalmata) |
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Description: A few Willets joined the Avocets and other waders for the feast at the river mouth. I loaded my gear on my bike and rode out on Boca Chica Beach to the mouth of the Rio Grande, where the fresh water meets the Gulf of Mexico. Here the chances to meet and observe the dynamic interaction of species are high. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:27 9:41 |
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Location:
Boca Chica Beach |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: Willet_D5X6000-BocaChicaBeach |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Tringa semipalmata) |
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Description: A few Willets joined the Avocets and other waders for the feast at the river mouth. I loaded my gear on my bike and rode out on Boca Chica Beach to the mouth of the Rio Grande, where the fresh water meets the Gulf of Mexico. Here the chances to meet and observe the dynamic interaction of species are high. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:27 9:46 |
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Location:
Boca Chica Beach |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/8000 |
File Name: Willet_D5X6089-BocaChicaBeach |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Tringa semipalmata) |
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Description: I’m not sure, but the paleness of this bird would seem to make it a “Western” Willet. Breeding Eastern Willets have bolder checking. Tuesday's all day visit to capture images at the SPI Convention Centre was fruitful. The folks I met were great, and the birds were amazing. |
Date Taken: 2021:03:30 17:48 |
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Location:
Convention Center |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Willet_D5X9188-SPI_ConventionCenter |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
Willet(Tringa semipalmata) |
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Description: Foraging on the marsh. With a momentary lull in warbler migration on South Padre Island, I paid my admission to the Birds and Nature Center to attempt catching subjects that don’t make many appearances at the Convention Centre. |
Date Taken: 2021:04:08 10:41 |
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Location:
South Padre Island WBC |
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Camera Information: NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/8.0, 1/2000 |
File Name: Willet_D5X2174-SPI_BirdNatureCtr |
| © 2021 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com |
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