Tuesday 23 February 2010

The Stilty Style

I shot this paparazzi sequence at Yala National Park last month. I was guiding 11 British visitors from Kudu Travels, UK whose ground agent is RedDot Tours. This was my second tour with Kudu, the first being in 2006. They couldn't operate this tour during the last three years because of the war that existed in this country and the resultant travel advisories imposed by the British FCO, which got in the way of travel insurance. With the war coming to an end in May 2009, things are looking brighter in Sri Lanka again, and Kudu resumed their tour to Sri Lanka in 2010.

According to industry sources, existing Tour Operators with allotments have 'performed' upto 90% in some cases during the 2009/2010 season. This explains why you cannot get a decent hotel room booked these days in Sri Lanka. And why the vehicle parks at the main airport, Sigiriya and many other such tourist sites are chocker-blocked, most of the time. It explains why some tour companies had to make do with intercity buses to do some of their tours. And why some bloggers have fallen silent lately.

Black-winged Stilt mating sequence-1

All right, the bird species in question here is Black-winged Stilt, known by a peculiar sounding scientific name, Himantopus himantopus (Linnaeus, 1758). The male was making its intentions amply clear by performing its not-so-subtle courtship dance—a lot of graceful head bobbing, and circling around the female.

Black-winged Stilt mating sequence-2
The female then went into a posture of submission. She did this by assuming what looked to me like a stiff neck posture - by extending her head fully and holding it in a lowered angle. After seeing this, I alerted all around me of what will follow next, and to get their cameras ready. The sequence shared here are a few that I was able to capture moments later. They were achieved from our safari jeep, with moving souls in it.

Black-winged Stilt mating sequence-3

With legs forming 60% of the total height, Black-winged Stilt is the bird with the longest pair of legs in relation to the body size in the world. The posture assumed by the female seems to aid her partner to mount on her easily and get a foothold—even with those lanky legs of his. And it sure must help the female to balance herself with the extra weight on her.

Black-winged Stilt mating sequence-4
Almost done.

Black-winged Stilt mating sequence-5
It was all over in a flash. The one below shows the male bracing himself in order to achieve a safe landing in the end. This was because the female reverted to her usual posture soon after copulation, while the male was still mounted on top of her. I think she did this intentionally to eject her partner from her back! It looked like she did not want him on her any longer than it was absolutely required!

Black-winged Stilt mating sequence-6
Awkward, but mission accomplished.

Black-winged Stilt mating sequence-7

17 comments:

dev wijewardane said...

A great set of images as always Amila.

rainfield61 said...

Awkward, but your mission is accomplished too.

Kirigalpoththa said...

I'm sure that position is not mentioned in 'Kamasutra' or Khajuraho ;)

Super shots yet again and good to hear that tourism in SL is blossoming again!

Anonymous said...

Far out Amila! Himantopus, huh? Him on top, for sure!!

Amila Salgado said...

Hi Dev,
Thanks! Nice to hear from you.

Hi rainfield,
You could say so too. This was my first Black-winged Stilt mating sequence captured in camera.

Hi K,
Not sure, but try it at your own risk. Tourism is going to be a vital growth sector in Sri Lanka in the post conflict era.

Hi Java,
Nice, nice, nice!
That is so damn funny!!

Redzlan aka Tabib said...

One one the best Black-winged Stilt copulation images so far.
Congratulation!

Lady divine said...

you do get lucky don't you..:)

Nice pics.. and positions..;)

Amila Salgado said...

Hi Tabib,
Glad you think so. I guided a 38 person group from your country during the Chinese New Year. It was a blast!

Hi Lady Divine,
I do, I do..
I was just lucky - being at the right place at the right time.
Congrats for winning the prestigious Blog of the Year 2009 Award!

Janith said...

Wonderful shots! Lucky guy! (To both the photographer and the male Stilt! Lol)

I'm glad to hear about the pickup in tourism, but equally glad to have you blogging again! :D

Anonymous said...

Great skills... on both your part and the Black-winged Stilts! ;)

Amila Salgado said...

Hi Chavie,
Ha ha, thanks!
I am glad to be blogging again too.

Congrats on clinching the covetted 'Best Newcomer Award' in the 2009 Blogging Awards!
I won it in 2007!

Hi Sean,
Thanks a lot! Great to hear from you.

Stuart Price said...

Wow, Stilt porn........

I got some similar shots of Avocets doing the deed a couple of years ago but not as good as your shots here.......

Amila Salgado said...

Hi Stu,
Ha ha, that's right.
Yala's birds and wildlife are not too afraid of the jeeps, which makes this park a hotspot for photographers. I got close enough for my 100-400mm, but just far enough to not disturb the Stilts.

They were blinded by love anyway...

Lady divine said...

Thank you for the wishes!!:)

spookydragonfly said...

Wonderful 'caught in the act' sequence of photography, Amila!

Amila Salgado said...

My pleasure LD!

Thanks a lot Kim!

flowergirl said...

LOL, I like javajones' observation. We have hordes of these stilts here, but I have never seen this Amila.

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