Masked Lapwing

[Ralph]

Not an excuse just so you understand the facts and save you time.
These birds were on the outer reach of the 400mm lens but I done my best with them anyway.
I have got them once before but I got them in flight and this time on the ground which I preferred.
Even got a juvenile one which for a while I thought I had got a new bird but research showed it was a young bird.
So I am happy enough with what I got as I can still tell what they are.

# 1 The one I thought was a new bird but no cigar as it's a young bird.

# 2 Moving away here.

# 3 and these moved away but came back after awhile.

# 4 I was pleased to get them on the ground.

[Isac]

They are an unusual looking bird Ralph. very detailed patterns and colours and you've captured them well being so far away from you. I've never seen them so thanls for sharing.

[Ozzie_Traveller]

G'day Ralph

Like Isac above - I am not familiar with these birds either - I thought that a Lapwing was a Plover !! so much do I know about things
Your best colour and clarity-wise is probably #4 ... but with all of them, your lens is delivering decent results esp over such long distances

Phil

[wigz]

Nicely captured Ralph given the distance. I think these are Banded Lapwing, going by the stripe through the eye and no yellow comb. I’ve never actually seen them

[avkomp]

yep banded lapwings

[Ralph]

Thank you all and this was a time when I really wished I had a 600mm lens. But I think the 400mm did okay and these were on the outskirts of it limitations.
So even thought I am not fully happy with them, I am happy enough as it is a bird we don't get to see all the time and is very people wary.
When you move in closer it is them moving further away.