memorablemeanders.blogspot.com

Thursday, January 26, 2012

Common Sandpiper

The Common Sandpiper is one of the birds frequently seen at the concrete bridge at the river below the mine offices.

I love the way that many birds are able to stand on one leg for an extended period of time!

The Common Sandpiper is a small wader with a short, sharp bill and short, greenish legs. The dark grey-brown upperparts contrast with the white underparts and the white on the breast curves over the shoulder. I use this "C" formation - C for Common -  to help me identify the bird !  This bird has a characteristic horizontal stance and often bobs its head and tail. Like the African Grey Flycatcher which I've posted about before, this bird is quite tame and stays relatively still while you photograph it!

8 comments:

  1. One legged somehow don't look right. But if you can fly, must have great balance. Nice closeup shot.

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  2. I love the sandpipers and usually have to look them up to identify the various forms. Nice shot!

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  3. Great picture of the Sandpiper, Jo... They definitely aren't afraid of humans like some birds.
    Hugs,
    Betsy

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  4. Jo! Do you know what that Sandpiper is doing when he stands on one leg? Well.....he's resting the other leg! ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ ☻ [Sorry. I know that was bad - but I couldn't resist.]

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  5. Oh, he's Beautiful Jo!!
    A Real Sandpiper!!
    hughugs

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  6. Beautiful and so nice of him to pose for you. I can barely tell where he has tucked his leg. So nice to see close up.

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  7. I'm grinning all ove my face, of course it stands still, how else can it balance on one leg?? Sorry Jo, I just got the giggles over that. Really nice clear shot and particularly cine definition of the eye.

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  8. I'll have to look for the white C the next time we are in Oceanside---that's where we see lots of sandpipers. I too like the way they stand on one leg for long periods.

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