Wilson's Phalarope

(Phalaropus tricolor)

Description:

All the Wilson’s Phalaropes I saw on this visit to Mono Lake seemed to be hatch-year birds. Mom probably left after the eggs were laid, and dad left when he felt the young birds could find their own food. This image was captured during a 4 hour vigil at the Mono Lake shore north of Lee Vining California. Summers at Mono Lake, when the algae blooms occur in this super-salty water, Brine-flies (or Alkali Flies) feed on the algae. Millions of birds, as many as 80 species feed on the fat and protein rich flies.

Date Taken: 2019:08:20 17:33

Location:

Mono Lake
Eastern Sierra District, California
United States
6312.08 ft above sea level

Camera Information:

NIKON D5, 800 mm, f/16.0, 1/800

File Name: WilsonsPhalarope_D5X6540-MonoLake

© 2019 Jack Daynes, shadeTreeImaging.com

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