Spotted Sandpiper on an exposed Oyster bed – Nikon D200, handheld, f6.3, 1/160, ISO 250, Nikkor 80-400mm VR at 400mm, natural light
On winter mornings like today where here in Utah the temp is barely above freezing, where rain is falling instead of snow and the wind is howling outside my window at between 21 and 27 mph it is easy to drift back in my mind to Florida where I could be in the water with birds every month of the year. Where even during the winter the warm sun felt great on my skin and and sitting low in the water to photograph birds was a joy I hope I never forget.
In January of 2009 I found a place at Fort De Soto County Park where I could sit in the water of an inlet and photograph nonbreeding Spotted Sandpipers as they foraged in exposed oyster beds at low tide. The Spotted Sandpipers there weren’t nearly as skittish as the ones I photograph here in Utah, Idaho and Montana that often take off as soon as I spot them. There were times that if I sat real still the Spotted Sandpipers would come so close to me that I could barely fit them in the frame.
I remember hoping at that time that some day I’d be able to photograph this species in breeding plumage and after I moved back out West again I saw those hopes come true plus I’ve even photographed the chicks of these butt-bobbing sandpipers.
This morning I’m thinking back on warmer days where I took photos of Spotted Sandpipers on the Gulf Coast as they scurried among those oyster beds looking for food and somehow I feel just a little bit warmer looking at this photo and the howling wind doesn’t seem quite so loud.
Life is good.
Mia
Click here to see more of my Spotted Sandpiper photos plus facts and information about this species.
Great info as always, Mia! Fascinating. 🙂 Beautiful shot as well.
Fascinating facts – and a charming bird.
Thank you for both.
Great photo — and very interesting info. Why would polyandry be the case– are there so many fewer males this is necessary for viable populations? Has this species always been polyandrous?