2017 Wildlife Photo Contest

Species: American Avocet | Location: Belmar Park, Lakewood, Colorado, United States of America

American Avocets doing their display before the actual mating occurs. It starts with the female, with the slightly more curved beak, lower her beak towards the water. If the male approves, he'll start splashing water around her, showing that he's ready, too. I had been taking pictures of them feeding near the shore and was down on the ground, to get a lower view, when they started their display just in front of me.

About The Photographer

I was born in Sweden and came to Colorado in 1999. I've enjoyed taking pictures since my childhood, when I got to borrow my dad's SLR camera. But it wasn't until 2007 I decided to get my first advanced digital camera and since then I've stayed busy photographing the beautiful landscape and wonderful wildlife of Colorado. Most of my work come from places nearby my home at the base of Rocky Mountains. I get to see bobcats, foxes, deer, elk and other animals come through my neighborhood.