Semipalmated Plover on the mudflatsSemipalmated Plover on mudflats – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/750, ISO 160, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light

Semipalmated Plovers (Charadrius semipalmatus) are small shorebirds that breed in the Arctic or sub-Arctic tundra. During migration they prefer mudflats, saltwater marshes, tidal areas, lake edges and flooded fields. In winter they prefer coastal habitats which is where I photographed this bird on the mudflats of a tidal lagoon at Fort De Soto County Park in Florida. They forage in typical plover style, run pause, pluck, run pause, pluck. They eat small aquatic mollusks, crustaceans, beetles, flies and spiders. Semipalmated Plovers use the sensitive soles of their feet to locate prey.

When I photographed Semipalmated Plovers in Florida I found that if I got down to their level and laid still they would approach me very closely. That takes patience but the effort is well worth it.

Mia