Tuesday, September 24, 2013

Pectoral Sandpiper/Wild Bird

 Pectoral sandpipers (Calidris melanotos)

It was late afternoon and a small flock had just flown in for a little R&R. They are on their way southward to South America having spent the summer in the Arctic.

 A closer view

Here this medium-sized sandpiper has found a small, shallow pond.

 Walking through shallow water to find a more fruitful spot

In fact, it's preferred habitats are marshes and grassy pools.

Beak-to-beak foraging

Pectoral sandpipers eat mostly insects and larvae but enjoy small, tasty crustraceans, snails and even small fish.

I am connecting to Stewart M's Wild Bird Wednesday HERE

38 comments:

Kate said...

These are good-looking little birds! Many good reflections.

MadSnapper said...

I do like to watch sandpipers at the beach, they are so much fun to watch and the last photo is magnificent, stunning and gorgeous.

Mersad said...

I have to agree with Kate. Love the reflections!

Darla said...

Nice shots. Those birds had better eat up, they have a long flight ahead.

Darla

Coloring Outside the Lines said...

Cute little birds- I don't guess I have ever seen one.

Kerri Farley said...

Lovely!!

TexWisGirl said...

really beautiful! very defined feather markings.

Judy said...

Great reflections in that last one. Good luck to them on their journey south.

Karen said...

Lots of birds flying through! These are excellent shots, with some really nice reflections!

jabblog said...

I love the reflections in your photos, particularly the last one. lovely bright day by the look of it.

Our photos said...

Beautiful birds photos!
Greetings, RW & SK

Pamela Gordon said...

Pretty photos of these travellers. I like the colours of browns against the blue water too.

Linda W. said...

Love your photos. Very nice shots!

Gail Dixon said...

They seem to hunt and forage like the ibises. Wonderful shots of these industrious, pretty birds.

Rune Eide said...

Nice ones! Especially the last photo with the reflections. I love that one!

Unknown said...

Lovely shots of these beautiful birds.

My Little Home and Garden said...

There is such nice pattern and variations of colour in their feathers.

Lowell said...

I don't know how you tell all these species apart. I tried once, and a bird-lover told me I was really for the birds. It was not a complement. Love that last foraging shot. Looks like me in a thrift shop!

Stephanie said...

beautiful plumage patterns on these birds.

eileeninmd said...

They are beautiful birds and you have some awesome photos. Great sighting!

Saun said...

Great shots very pretty birds.

Sallie (FullTime-Life) said...

Wonderful little birds and they found a great spot to fuel up for the next leg of their journey! That last photo is fabulous.

Michelle said...

They are quite busy!

Randy said...

Nice shots.

Carletta said...

Love the close ups!

Irma said...

Great photos of this Sandpipers.
Very well photographed.
Greetings Irma

Anonymous said...

Great shots of very handsome looking birds!

Stewart M said...

Great shots! I have never got a picture of this species.

Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne

kayerj said...

nice shots, we have these birds here too.

Andrea @ From The Sol said...

Your pictures and information are all wonderful. I could never remember all I learn from you, but I enjoy the process. Thank you ...

Andrea @ From The Sol

Anonymous said...

Such appealing little shore birds. Lovely captures.

Lisa Gordon said...

What beautiful birds they are!

genie said...

You've gotta love the sandpipers. They are so pretty. This is a wonderful series. So much color and detail. genie

Small City Scenes said...

I love watching the shore birds. MB

Anonymous said...

These are great captures! I love the reflection, beak-to-beak.

Mary Howell Cromer said...

These are really terrific!

Gemma Wiseman said...

Great pattern details on the feathers of these cute little characters.

Pat Tillett said...

Beautiful photos! We are lucky enough to also some of down here in Southern California.

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East Gwillimbury is a rural town less than an hour north of Toronto, Canada's largest city. My family calls me CameraGirl because I take my camera with me wherever I go.