Black-winged stilts

[khiemtran]

The bar-tailed godwits only stayed for two days, but the very next day, there was a new set of visitors at the lagoon - black-winged stilts...



These are apparently relatively common birds, but, as with the bar-tailed godwits, I've never seen them in the lagoon before.



They look very dapper, and strangely regimented in this photo. But can you guess why they are called "stilts"?



It's not obvious from the earlier photos, but their legs are surprisingly long for their body size.



Stilts seem to be big fans of precision.



The very next day, they were gone too, and the lagoon was back to its usual cast of cormorants, herons and egrets. But meanwhile, something unusual was also happening out at sea (to be continued...)

Comments

[lethargic-man.livejournal.com]

A cliffhanger ending! Oh, the suspense! :o)

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Even I don't know how it will end yet (although I am still two days ahead...)

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

Aren't they good-looking? I love stilts: I love their delicate legs and beaks, and the sharp pattern of their feathers. And, in your last two photos, yes: I love their precise flying!

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

They look a bit to me like little bald men who've kept their remaining hair as long as possible. Or maybe they're little warriors who've shaved off everything except their pony tails...

[asakiyume.livejournal.com]

little warriors who've shaved off everything except their pony tails

Samurai!

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Of course! Now that you mention it, that's exactly what they look like. They seem very kirei in general...

[mnfaure.livejournal.com]

No wonder they are so precise! :D

I love the shocking color of their legs in contrast with their black and white bodies.

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Yes, it was funny. Until they took off, I assumed they had short legs like seagulls and must have been standing in very shallow water...