Last Wednesday I was upstate I visited my favorite "duck pond", Oak Grove Lake. The usual waterfowl is there and I was able to enjoy some interaction with them including this little fellow that I followed around for a bit---
Well I knew it was a sandpiper and he had lots of spots and he was constantly pumping his bumm end...so I took at stab at the spotted sandpiper (Actitis macularia) and I was right when I checked my fieldguide. Not a new bird for me, but been a longgg time between sightings.
He wasnt bothered by my following him and I keep saying HIM I dont know which it is...cause the book says females are a little larger but other than that they look the same...Ill go with HE this guy wasnt too big! I wasnt the only one who wanted a closer look at this sandpiper...
They seemed to be saying to each other, "WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU?" Reminded me of the movie Predator and that line exchanged between Arnold and the alien monster--
I had a fun day watching all the birds show off
Now its time for you to share you birding story on World Bird Wednesday or just check out some of these other great blogs--its all about sharing nature stories and being part on an online community of like-minded people!
PEACE
Hi Sondra...hahaha...that last photo is fantastic...how cute is that!!
ReplyDeleteExcellent photos and timing !!
The shots of the sandpiper are terrific; but what a catch of both sandpiper and goose!
ReplyDeleteI wonder what kind of conservation they might have had. :)
Thanks for visiting.
Lovely images. The Sandpiper is a beautiful bird. Love the last photo.
ReplyDeleteGreat to see a Sandpiper. Boom & Gary of the Vermilon River, Canada.
ReplyDeleteHello, Sondra! What a cutie, great shots of the Spotted Sandpiper. And I love the shot with the snadpiper and the goose.
ReplyDeleteWell, he's just the cutest thing! Your photos are great-love the detail.
ReplyDeleteGreat photos of the Sandpiper. Great to get that close!
ReplyDeletea nice bird I have not seen before. An unusual bill he has. Thanks for sharing. :)
ReplyDeleteWhat a fun post :D
ReplyDeleteI love this little guy, so pretty!
The last shot's a cracker. Glad you were there to capture it :)!
A fantastic photo blog you've got here, Sondra! I'm gonna watch it keenly!
ReplyDeleteI can see how he got his name lol
ReplyDeleteGood to see him next to the Canada Goose for size comparison.
Hiya,
ReplyDeleteSo good to see it next to the C. goose, whose size I'm familiar with.
Aren't days like that a wonderful interlude.
Love the shots of your 'show-offs' . I haven't had a chance to get any good birds lately and appreciate the virtual birding. Thanks! (If you haven't seen that sandpiper for a while, it is as good as seeing it for the first time!) And, of course, there's never a bad sighting, even if you've just seen it yesterday.
ReplyDeleteHey Sondra,
ReplyDeleteI'll say you got close! You are the bird whisperer for sure. Just like holdingmoments and joco, I love the fact that your last shot shows the relative size difference with the familiar Canadian goose and your wonderful sandpiper. Altogether a great post.
Now for my favorite Gov. Schwarzenegger movie, Predator. Yes, I like the feeling of mutual respect Arnold and the monster shared in that bloody moment, like hockey players shaking hands at the end of a tough series. Real man stuff!
Awesome photos! The one time I saw one of these guys he kept flying all over the place and never let me get close. Great post!
ReplyDeleteThanks for comment. Beautiful images and a great post.
ReplyDeleteThe little bird is beautiful but when I got to the last shot a WOW came out of my mouth! :-)
ReplyDeleteYes,I`m glad for the last picture showing how big he is next to the goose,great pictures!phyllis
ReplyDeleteSondra, Love your photos of the Spotted and the text. When can we expect another book?
ReplyDeleteSpotted sandpiper- cool name, beautiful bird.
ReplyDeleteHey Sondra. COOL pics ... but who is really watching who!
ReplyDeleteJEAN..funny you should ask...lol Ive been working on a fiction novel for like 3, no make that 4, yrs now..IT STINKs but Its getting close to finished--Fiction is NOT my thing I should write about what I know and what I have experienced...and thats what any Good Writer will tell you--BUT I've put so much time and energy into this one I want to finish it before I scrap it! IF only I had a degree in Biology I'd do a bird adventure book but if you're gonna write non fiction you have to have some letters to stick beside your name--grrrr
ReplyDeleteSuperb photos Sondra. Love the Goose and Sandpiper shot. I'm sure there is a caption competition in there somewhere.
ReplyDeleteSondra, great pics of the Sandpiper! That last one is wonderful!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos Sondra! The one with the goose is so amusing ;)
ReplyDeleteYour birds have PERSONALITY!! Love this post.
ReplyDelete