A Wilson’s Snipe was feeding in a pool of clear water, showing off his gorgeous feather colors.
He worked the bottom methodically; I never saw any prey but suspect he was getting little squiggly things.
Then he calmly strolled into some stubble, blending right in with mud and dead vegetation. I looked away for a few seconds and lost sight of him.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island, FL
February 25, 2026
I saw an Oystercatcher fly by as we walked out to a small jetty. I was somewhat surprised to see one there and also disappointed that I didn’t get a photo.
Then I saw that a number of shore birds had gathered as the ebbing tide exposed the jetty. There was an occasional kerfuffle with some smaller birds that stayed hidden from my view in the grass.
The Oystercatchers were poking around in the grass and climbing the rocks.
There were no oysters in sight, and I didn’t see what prey they might have been getting but they must have been successful as they kept at it.
Port Charles, VA
October 23, 2025
The receding tide trapped this small fish in the sand swales.
He didn’t stand much of a chance once the Ruddy Turnstone spotted him.
But he sure gave it his all, flopping across the water trying to escape.
After a couple of misses, the Turnstone had his lunch.
And then ran off with it as some other shore birds became aware of his catch.
Port Charles, VA
October 23, 2025
Several Greater Yellowlegs were feeding with the late afternoon sun lighting them up.
Black Point Wildlife Drive, Merritt Island, FL
February 9, 2025
ID by Merlin Bird ID app
Forster’s Terns are skillful, and somewhat unpredictable, flyers. They hover high over the water then pivot and drop.
This makes them a challenge to photograph unless they are just flying by, like this one.
I attempted to capture numerous dives as a small flock of the terns hunted for fish in the big pond at Donnelley. I finally had some success by focusing on the water where I thought they might dive rather than trying to follow them down.
They make a pretty big splash for a small bird.
Several times a pair of terns had a squabble. They were too far for me to see if one might have been trying to snatch lunch from the other.
ID: Merlin Bird ID App
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 30 , 2024
Sanderlings are just fun to watch, zipping this way then that way, and always make me smile.
St. Augustine Beach, St. Augustine, FL
April 16, 2024
St. Augustine Beach, St. Augustine, FL
April 16, 2024
Willets, I think, based on the wing markings.
Mary’s House Pond
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
February 15, 2024
It was a little too windy for this Brown Pelican to just glide over the water…
…he was working it the whole way I watched him across the harbor.
Baby Pelican Cruise with Coastal Expeditions, leaving from Daniel Island on the Wando River side down to Charleston Harbor and the New Crab Bank just off Shem Creek.
Other posts from this adventure
Charleston Harbor, SC
June 23, 2023
Another few Brown Pelican chick pictures… I’ve run out of things to say about them other than they are so interesting to see and I’m rooting for their survival.
The chicks need to be protected from the sun so the adults take turns providing shade. The darker brown on this adult’s neck is part of their breeding stage look.
Baby Pelican Cruise with Coastal Expeditions, leaving from Daniel Island on the Wando River side down to Charleston Harbor and the New Crab Bank just off Shem Creek.
Other posts from this adventure
Charleston Harbor, SC
June 23, 2023
