Category Archives: Shore Birds

Gang Way: Black Skimmer Coming Through

June 22, 2018 Ellen Jennings 1 Comment

The tide was almost low and the shallow inlet water was attracting a number of shore birds looking for a meal, including a few Black Skimmers. My view wasn’t great and some tall grass partially obstructed the action, but watching these gorgeous birds skim for food is fascinating.

The flying gull and wading Tricolored Heron paid no head to the speeding Skimmer.

The Skimmer made a practiced move of a quick look underneath and behind.

The Tricolored Heron was not giving up his spot.

Gracefully the Skimmer banked, skirted the heron and headed across the inlet.

Click any image for a closer view.

Shore Birds

Least Sandpiper

May 9, 2018 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

A mud flat is created when the SC Department of Natural Resources lets the water out of a section of the old rice fields at Bear Island Wildlife Management Area. The little shore “peeps” of all varieties gather for feeding.

The Least Sandpiper is one of the smallest of the little “peeps” that wade through the mud, foraging for food.

It’s fascinating to see the flocks take off in one motion and fly as a group to a new location.

Shore Birds

Two Against One

April 22, 2018 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

The Cormorant was swimming low in the water with his catch, probably a crab based on the parts you can see sticking out in a couple of the images.

Alas, a Laughing Gull spotted him and dropped in for a closer look.

The Cormarant dodged the gull and kept his prize.

The gull rose up a for another try.

Attracted by the activity a second gull joined in the harrassment.

The Cormarant dodged the interlopers and swallowed his lunch before the gulls re-grouped.

Click on any photo for a larger view of the action.

Shore Birds

American Avocets

March 23, 2018 Ellen Jennings 7 Comments

We arrived at Bear Island Wildlife Management area just before the sun came up this morning. A few American Avocets were sitting in the shallow water and reflected the sun’s first glow.

As we progressed around the impoundments throughout the morning there were several other areas with feeding Avocets. There were a few groups but they mostly fed on their own.

This pair in flight shows off the Avocet’s gorgeous colors and their upturned beak.

American Avocets in Flight — American Avocet Pair in Flight

Click on any photo for larger view.

Shore Birds

Sanderlings

February 5, 2018 Ellen Jennings 4 Comments

I spotted this group of Sanderlings driving along Indian River Lagoon in Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. The immediately took off, but returned with a flourish in just a few minutes.

I’ve usually seen them running along the surf, but this one loan Sanderling took a dip in water up to his belly.

Click on either photo for larger view.

Shore Birds

Shore Birds Standing in the Surf

December 5, 2017 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

I got another opportunity to photograph Black Skimmers last week when a small group along with some Terns visited the same sand bar where I saw them two weeks ago. This Royal Tern had a few things to say.

When I first spotted them there were some Pelicans in the mix but they didn’t hang around. The tide was nearly out and this group of smaller birds seemed content to let the water lap around their legs. I didn’t see any of them feeding.

After the tide turned they shifted as a group a few times, going into the air, doing a few loops and settling just a couple dozen feet from where they started. It was only when a couple of bicyclists and a family with a baby carriage came along that they left.

Click on any photo for a larger view.

Shore Birds

Willet On the Shore

November 30, 2017 Ellen Jennings Leave a comment

Although I have seen a Willet in flight it is more common to see them walking the shore, poking the surf and sand for food.

I didn’t see where he captured this fish but he took it to a wide open expanse of beach to consume it, alone. It’s size slowed him down. Just swallowing it wasn’t an option.

The pools left by the falling tide attract the Willets. Calmer than the ocean surf they often are a concentrated food source as the water drains away.

They will completely immerse their heads looking for food, tipping like a bobbing garden ornament.

Shore Birds

More of the Peeps

November 29, 2017 Ellen Jennings 2 Comments

We’ve been to the beach a lot lately to see the Dolphins and Black Skimmers. The sandpipers go about their business in and around whatever else is going on, usually at the edge of the water.

Shorebird Peep — Shorebird – click on photo for larger view

Sometimes they are happy to forage around the bumps and undulations of dried sand left as the tide goes out. Whatever they are looking for must be tiny as you hardly ever see what they find to eat.

Shore Birds

Trifecta: Subject, Reflection and Shadow

November 27, 2017 Ellen Jennings 6 Comments

The glassy wet sand and the sun direction combined for the perfect trio of this zippy little shorebird.

Sanderling – click photo for larger view.

All of the shorebird peeps are fun to watch and photograph. They are are always moving and interacting with their environment as they look for food.

Shore Birds

Willet in Flight

November 26, 2017 Ellen Jennings 3 Comments

Willits are one of the shorebirds that poke around at the edge of the shore or at the edges of small ponds and inlets along the ocean. They look pretty drab until they take flight.

The distinguished white and black stripes that show on their wings set them apart from the Dowitchers and Yellowlegs.

This one came to shore where I was waiting for Dolphins and headed for a pool left on the beach by the falling tide.

Click on any photo for larger view.