I’ve been working up images for a long post and this American Oystercatcher (Haematopus palliatus) image is a clue as to what that post will be about.

Adult American Oystercatcher in a tidal lagoonAdult American Oystercatcher in a tidal lagoon – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/1250, ISO 200, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light

I had a marvelous time on March 22, 2009 photographing this bird and several other oystercatchers in a tidal lagoon at Fort De Soto’s north beach. By that time in March the water was already warm but it felt refreshing to lay in the shallowest water on the shoreline to get the lowest angle possible.

American Oystercatchers are very distinctive shorebirds with long reddish bills, pink legs, bright yellow eyes combined with black, brown and white plumage.

Mia