American Oystercatchers make “divot” nests, basically a depression in the ground which in this case was a mound of shells.
While one adult sat on the nest the other paced around…
…what else is there to do until the young hatch?
I didn’t get a very good picture of the overall scene, but this gives you an idea of how vulnerable these birds are.
Marsh edge of Kiawah River, SC
June 1, 2022
A pair of Black-necked Stilts swooped on by me as I stood on a dike at Orlando Wetlands.
Often described as “stately” due to their color scheme and long legs, they are also elegant flyers.
And fly they did, right on to the other side of this impoundment.
April 10, 2022
I spotted this Ring-billed Gull just before he hit the water.
There wasn’t much of a splash and the gull’s wings never went under the surface.
One powerful beat of his wings and he was up.
A small splash and he was away.
Wasting no time, he sped off before one of the other circling gulls or terns noticed his catch.
Donnelley Wildlife Management Area, SC
December 25, 2021
A little dance after bath time.
And a bow.
SanderlingFolly Beach, SC
October 14, 2021
With places to go this Sanderling passed me by on the run.
Hardly touching the ground he zipped along.
Full steam ahead!
Folly Beach, SC
October 14, 2021
A Black Skimmer entertained me early one morning with his graceful water-level hunting on an old rice field pond.
All I saw him catch on that pass was a strand of grass.
July 4, 2021
Bear Island Wildlife Management Area, SC
Birds flying in tight flocks fascinate me, leaving me wondering how they communicate that synchronized take off, flight and landing. And of course I have to try to photograph them at it.
I saw this flock take off from a mud flat then make a quick u-turn.
They looped around the pond a few times then landed pretty much where they started.
A Yellowlegs was picking his way through some marsh stubble on a recent grey morning.
It was late afternoon and windy at the beach when I spotted a Willet hunting in a tidal pool.
Often these shore birds go back and forth in the same pool, probing around the edges for food.
This time the wind kept him moving further down the beach.
He was having success at finding some snacks.
