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  2. Arizona

Wild Life

Welcome to my Wild Life section. Arizona isn't short on critters. Enjoy the photos.
Rob
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Then he took flight, got into position and the timing was right. <br /> <br /> RM_D3_Avocet_Mates_6955
1350 / 1745

Then he took flight, got into position and the timing was right.

RM_D3_Avocet_Mates_6955

AvocetMates6955

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  • As he dismounts they start their show of affection, crossing their bills in a display for all to see. It's like holding hands after being married for so many years, for all that see that they are mates. <br /> <br /> RM_D3_Avocets_Mate_6963
  • Finally I got it captured, a pair of Avocets in their mating ritual. The femail let's her mate know she's ready yet he acts somewhat disinterested or by doing a little pruning so he looks just right for "THE OCCASION"...<br /> <br /> RM_D3_Avocet_Mates_6930
  • She continues to show him she ready and waiting and it's like he's thinking about it.....<br /> <br /> RM_D3_Avocet_Mates_6932
  • So the male decides he's game but first she needs a little bath or is it their fore play! He stood there and splashed her with water for about 10-15 seconds.<br /> <br /> RM_D3_Avocet_Mates_6939
  • Then he took flight, got into position and the timing was right. <br /> <br /> RM_D3_Avocet_Mates_6955
  • RM_D3_Avocet_Mates_6959
  • They complete their mating in about 3 seconds. <br /> <br /> RM_D3_Avocet_Mates_6962
  • This is the coolest thing I've ever seen. The entire mating ritual only took about 60 seconds, from the time the female readied herself till the time they showed every one that they were a couple. It was truly an amazing thing to watch and this crossing of the bills was just the sweetest act or show of affection I've ever seen in the wild. <br /> <br /> RM_D3_Avocet_Mates_6964
  • With bills crossed they walk off and continue their day of catching food in the ponds at the Gilbert Riparian Reserve. This was a special moment for me to capture this all on camera and share this with all of you. At first I felt like I was a voyure but then I realized that this was nature in the raw, just animals behaving as animals do and ensuring the survival of their species. <br /> <br /> RM_D3_Avocet_Mates_6966
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