Hawaiian Stilt - Hawaii

Hawaiian Stilt, originally uploaded by Michael A. Nelson.

On a recent trip to Hawaii, I picked up this rare picture of the Black Necked Stilt or more specifically the Hawaiian Stilt which is endangered in Hawaii. This bird is considered by many to be a subspecies of the Black-necked Stilt and by others to be a distinct species. The Stilt is the only shorebird to breed in the Hawaiian Islands.

We were returning our rental car at the airport and just across the street I noticed the stilts. I pulled the car over to the side and grabbed my camera. My wife Darlene was going crazy as we were about to board a plane and needed to return the car. Oh well, the life of a nature photographer!!!!