Curious Piping Plover – Nikon D200, handheld, f7.1, 1/1250, ISO 250, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light
Piping Plovers are small, sparrow sized shorebirds that are endangered and threatened in most of their range primarily due to human disturbance on their nesting grounds. I photographed this Piping Plover at Fort De Soto County Park’s north beach in Florida in September of 2008. This plover approached me while I was laying very still on the wet, sandy beach. It may have seen its reflection in my lens and came closer to check it out.
Piping Plover on the beach – Nikon D200, handheld, f7.1, 1/1500, ISO 320, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light
On the same morning I photographed this Piping Plover nearby that was going out of breeding plumage as it foraged along the shoreline of the Gulf of Mexico.
These small shorebirds have limited breeding range and need our protection by fencing off nests, reducing off road vehicle use near nesting grounds and providing predator control.
Happy 4th of July!
Mia
Thank you all for the comments on this post about Piping Plovers.
I wish my Piping Plover photos looked liked yours, Mia! Happy Independence Day!
An enchanting little bird – thank you. And the protection it needs is also needed by far too many other birds – world wide.
Stunning images of this tiny shorebird! I do hope efforts can be made to save this species.
These little plovers sound like they’re in the same position as our Hooded Plovers. I hope they get the protection they need to thrive. How magical to have been approached by them, that says so much about you Mia.
That is one cute little bird! How tragic it would be ti lose it. Thanks for bringing its needs to our attention.
Beautiful images Mia.