This morning I arrived at the pond where the wild horses drink to hoping to get more stallion fighting shots. I do have some recent ones. That will be the teaser. Not much action from the horses today but there were a lot of birds to watch at the pond. White-faced Ibis, Dunlins, Avocets, and Long-billed Dowitchers and Black-necked Stilts.
The Black-necked stilts provided the drama much to my surprise. Two Stilts, and it is easy to see how they got their names on those impossibly long legs, were peacefully probing the mud flats for their breakfast when this other male flew noisily in and started attacking one of the other males. It really was quite a show. When I got home and started editing the photos I saw how truly violent this episode was. If you look closely you can see that one of the Stilts has pierced the other’s neck with his long sharp beak. Ouch!
Northern Desert Photography 
Beautiful!
Thank you Eva. 🙂
You’re quite welcome! ❤
family of birds
Indeed. 🙂
How nasty! Spot the bully in the playground! 😦
Yes it was a bit shocking. 😦
Pierced the neck, or bitten it? I don’t see any blood but your original photos will have greater detail.
Thanks for stopping in Dragon. It really is pierced. I know it is hard to see in these photos. I studied them quite closely in Lightroom. I don’t know why there is no blood. I looked for that under magnification and did not see any?
Wow! A great series of photos. I will now look at Black-necked Stilts in a different light. I had always thought they were just peaceful, beautiful, elegant and graceful creatures. Thanks for sharing these images, Alison.
Thank you Bob. I thought of them the same way, graceful, delicate. It was kind of shocking. “Tho’ Nature, red in tooth and claw.”
It is a lovely gallery. Birds are fascinating.
Thank you. 🙂
Lovely photos! great capture of the family action!
Thanks Sally. A dysfunctional family. 😉
A proper bird fight! That one guy is definitely serious. Nice job capturing the battle!
Thank you Inger. 🙂
An amazing series. Who would believe they would be so vicious.
Thank you. Yes I was surprised.
Well, the heck with the fighting horses, at least temporarily. These fighting bird shots are wonderful.
Thanks Alli. Yes I should be content eh? 🙂
These are good photos, looking forward to see the horsey ones 🙂
Beautiful birds- Looking forward to the horses too 🙂
Thank you Cynthia. 🙂
Fantastic action sequence Alison. The crisp detail in your images is very impressive. I learned a thing or two as well!
Thanks Nick. 🙂
Great series of shots, Alison!
Thanks Calee! 🙂