Post by Gord on Apr 26, 2008 22:00:40 GMT -8
Got a bit of an early start yesterday and checked out a bit of a flooded field at my place here. I was delighted to discover some shorebirds picking around out there!
I almost felt like I was back at Boundary Bay. Closing one eye and squinting with the other helped give that illusion (having the cold late April wind blow a car door into your forehead would have also provided the same results...
)
I settled in to watch them feed and took some photos as the opportunities arose. There were 19 'peeps' (nickname for the little sandpipers) 18 were Least Sandpiper, the most common peep in our area, and one Western Sandpiper as well. I had lots of fun photographing them. The pictures might be fun to show the difference between the two species.
The larger size, rufous coloured cap and scapulars (row of feathers on the back next to where the wing is 'hinged') and not so dark body and face are obvious. I would have pointed out the bill on a typical Western too as they often have a longer and droopy bill. This bird is a bit less than average length to me. The rufous scapulars is most apparent on this bird when in flight.
Typical to these little guys was when they would jump up and fly a little bit for no apparent reason.
The Least Sandpipers are smaller, darker, short and droopy bill with green legs (which are often dark looking when covered with mud). You can see their typical crouching posture as well. I couldnt resist taking several photos.
The Greater Yellowlegs was very busy as well and afforded excellent photographic opportunities. ;D ;D
Presently the flock of peeps took off towards the east and I barely made it to work on time.
As I was leaving this Savannah Sparrow sang from a low willow. A nice morning!
I almost felt like I was back at Boundary Bay. Closing one eye and squinting with the other helped give that illusion (having the cold late April wind blow a car door into your forehead would have also provided the same results...
)I settled in to watch them feed and took some photos as the opportunities arose. There were 19 'peeps' (nickname for the little sandpipers) 18 were Least Sandpiper, the most common peep in our area, and one Western Sandpiper as well. I had lots of fun photographing them. The pictures might be fun to show the difference between the two species.
The larger size, rufous coloured cap and scapulars (row of feathers on the back next to where the wing is 'hinged') and not so dark body and face are obvious. I would have pointed out the bill on a typical Western too as they often have a longer and droopy bill. This bird is a bit less than average length to me. The rufous scapulars is most apparent on this bird when in flight.
Typical to these little guys was when they would jump up and fly a little bit for no apparent reason.
The Least Sandpipers are smaller, darker, short and droopy bill with green legs (which are often dark looking when covered with mud). You can see their typical crouching posture as well. I couldnt resist taking several photos.
The Greater Yellowlegs was very busy as well and afforded excellent photographic opportunities. ;D ;D
Presently the flock of peeps took off towards the east and I barely made it to work on time.
As I was leaving this Savannah Sparrow sang from a low willow. A nice morning!
