Snipe Hunting, anybody?

For most places where I have ever lived, if you invite a stranger to go Snipe Hunting, it is actually a joke. Locals will take the stranger out to some wooded area at night, and the stranger gets to hold the burlap bag to catch the birds in while the locals attempt to chase the birds toward him. Of course, the joke is that the locals leave the poor stranger out there at night and disappear. There is no Snipe Hunting in fact.

However, the elusive birds do actually exist. I've gotten a few shots of them in the last few days. I'm not sure whether this one is a Common Snipe or a Wilson's Snipe.

I had to shoot this at 800mm today, and then crop and compress heavily to post it here.

---Bob Gross---

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Excellent, these birds can be elusive. On one outing I had my class in the field marsh and as I talking about that creature and one came out of the cord grass walk across our path not ten feet away. The snipe acted as if we were not there. I have yet to photograph one. Well done.

These birds are in one of the areas I go for photography but I have never seen one. I read that as a defense, these birds wait until the last minute ( when a predator/photograper approaches) and then rocket out of the area zigging and zagging to throw off any pursuit. I also read that in older times, hunters who could shoot a Snipe were nicknamed Snipers and that is where this word originated.

Very interesting bird. Great capture!

man I'm glad you take the time to read cause I didn't know that lol nice shot I'd like to see one but haven't yet

An uncommon bird, a trophy of a shot !

Excellent shot, Bob.

Nice shot, I love that bird and would absolutely love to get some photos of one. They are elusive and certainly move fast when flushed. That one is high on the list of birds I'd like to see more of.

Nice capture of a critter that is difficult to track down - I've never even seen one. These must be related to woodcock, which I have seen.

Wilson's Snipe is Gallinago delicata.

Common Snipe is Gallinago gallinago.

I'm not certain of what I have here, but I'll bet they are as tasty as Thanksgiving turkey.

---Bob Gross---

Ya, right Bob, you're not sucking me in to this trap again...........lol

Very lucky Bob, what an excellent catch. well done

What about a Jack Snipe - Lymnocryptes minimus? Do you have them in the US. They have a shorted beak than the common snipe and this guy looks to fit the bill (pun intended).

These guys are gtreat and a beauty to watch.

Very nice pic!

Marc

Nice shot Bob, as far as the snipe hunting though you forgot the part about the bag holder has to pull their pants down around their ankles or the snipes won't come out.

KAC