Semipalmated Plover Series

These images are from the same place as my "Least Sandpiper" and "Flock of Seagulls" images.

I watched a couple of these Plovers work their way back and forth along the mudflats. If you looked at my Least Sandpiper images you will have noticed the Sandpiper was always in the water and with the long bill, he was able to dig for food under the water and keep his bill clean. By contrast note that all the Plover shots were along the mud flats. And note that his shorter bill is constantly muddy.

C&C is welcomed. Thanks for looking.

Those are excellent shots, showing the bird, its behaviour as well as the habitat really well.

Very good series of nicely captured images Ed.

One of my favourite birds, thanks for sharing He looks an inquisitive chap doesn't he

Very well done Ed ! I got my first of these late last fall, they are one of my fav. birds as well.

PetKal wrote in post #3238377
Those are excellent shots, showing the bird, its behaviour as well as the habitat really well.

Reyno wrote in post #3238619
Very good series of nicely captured images Ed.

Anke wrote in post #3238670
One of my favourite birds, thanks for sharing He looks an inquisitive chap doesn't he

bromm wrote in post #3238861
Very well done Ed ! I got my first of these late last fall, they are one of my fav. birds as well.

Thanks for the feedback folks. I am glad that you all liked the images. It is fun to share here with the folks who have been helping me out with technique, etc. over the past months.

It helped a lot that as I stayed relatively still and quiet behind the tripod and camera, the Plovers continued to move closer and closer. That was another reason I took so many images. Every time I'd take a few, they'd end up coming closer so I'd take a few more!

The like the last one the best. Nice job. --Rick

I really like the 3rd and 5th shots, mostly due to the way the sun (or perhaps fill flash) has not only brought out the yellow eye ring but left a catchlight as well. I took several on Saturday, and it seemed either I got the eye ring to stand out or the catchlight, but very rarely both.

Cute birds Ed. I know how shocked I was to find out that the Least Sandpiper was little bigger than a sparrow, so how big are these guys? Is that salt water?

Excellent series of shots, interesting to see them in their darker plumage. My shots were all taken in the winter and they appear much lighter in color.

Nice series.

Very nice series of a favorite little shorebird. These are very sharp and nicely colored. Great job.

rrdjserv@earthlink.net wrote in post #3240481
The like the last one the best. Nice job. --Rick

Thanks Rick. I appreciate the comment. The last one of the series was the last one I shot for the day!

exerda wrote in post #3241107
I really like the 3rd and 5th shots, mostly due to the way the sun (or perhaps fill flash) has not only brought out the yellow eye ring but left a catchlight as well. I took several on Saturday, and it seemed either I got the eye ring to stand out or the catchlight, but very rarely both.

Thanks for the comment. I'm glad that you like the images. As I think I mentioned either here or about the Least Sandpiper, I shot about 40 images of each. After getting a few down to be sure I had the bird, I started waiting for just the right moments to catch the light reflecting in the birds eye. Sometimes I missed it and sometimes I got it. I was really pleased with the way they lot of them turned out.

canonloader wrote in post #3241227
Cute birds Ed. I know how shocked I was to find out that the Least Sandpiper was little bigger than a sparrow, so how big are these guys? Is that salt water?

Definitely bigger that the Least Sandpiper. But not a big bird by any stretch of the imagination. I think the books list it as around 7.5" to 8.5". And no it isn't saltwater. It is a large puddle in a farmer's field here in Pennsylvania.

dancinec wrote in post #3241962
Excellent series of shots, interesting to see them in their darker plumage. My shoots were all taken in the winter and they appear much lighter in color.

Thanks Dennis. I appreciate the compliment. Did you post yours? I'll have to root around a bit and see what they look like in winter plumage.

rocklyons wrote in post #3242453
Nice series.

Thanks, Rock. Glad you liked the images. Always fun to share.

ngannet wrote in post #3243172
Very nice series of a favorite little shorebird. These are very sharp and nicely colored. Great job.

Thanks Bob. Appreciate the compliment. I owe a lot to what I've learned here on POTN over the past several months. But still there is no substitute for experience. I'm working on it.

It was some time ago, here are the few I have posted

Nice series. Number five is my favorite here for the better head turn and "eye contact".