Why can't all waders be this tame?

25th September 2013 - Topsham

I use a modest 300mm f4 lens, usually with a 1.4x teleconverter, so in order to get anything more than 'record shots' I need to be fairly close to the bird. Like paparazzi-shy celebrities the birds usually don't want to co-operate; I've had a flock of gulls - the same birds that would cheerfully steal an ice cream from your hand - take off when they notice my lens pointing at them. But of all the waders using the Exe, from Dunlin to Curlew, it's consistently the juvenile Black-tailed Godwits that are the most confiding. Any Common Sandpiper, Redshank or Greenshank on my side of the river will fly it if even thinks I'm going to head its way. The Godwits just look up, then carry on feeding, often walking towards me. I've probably got more decent photos of Blackwits than any other wader; here's a few from the Recreation Ground, all cropped but halved in size.

Black-tailed Godwit juvenile - Topsham 25/9/2013

The first two photos (above and below) show a bird which is still mostly in juvenile plumage, just one of the longer scapulars has been replaced by a plain grey adult type feather.

Black-tailed Godwit juvenile - Topsham 25/9/2013

Here's another bird (below) still wearing almost a full set of juvenile feathers, it's hard to judge but there might be a few new scapulars appearing.

Black-tailed Godwit juvenile - Topsham 25/9/2013

This one (next two photos) is more advanced in its moult, showing a lot of new plain adult type scapulars and patches of new grey feathers on the breast sides and flanks.

Black-tailed Godwit juvenile moulting to 1st winter - Topsham 25/9/2013

Black-tailed Godwit juvenile moulting to 1st winter - Topsham 25/9/2013

To be honest, it's not just Godwits; I did manage to approach a Spotted Redshank quite closely earlier in the day. It would have been sharper - the light wasn't that low - but the early mist on the river killed all contrast, a bit like shooting through a dirty window.

Spotted Redshank juvenile - Topsham 25/9/2013