When I go out to Point Reyes to photograph wildlife I usually concentrate on the ranch lands and other open lands of the Seashore. One day last month I stopped at Drake’s Beach and watched some sandpipers and marbled godwits hunting for food as the waves retreated. Things were pretty quiet (few people) so I grabbed my gear and headed down there. Unfortunately for me, some people walking the beach came a little too close for most of the birds and they flew down the beach. However, a few remained. This guy came closest.
Limantour Beach is known for shorebirds. Pat Ulrich has had a lot of success there. It’s a long way from my usual areas, but I’ll have to check it out.
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Lovely shot, Jim, and nice light too. Glad to see you taking on the shorebirds out there — they are too cute not to be photographed! Thanks much for the shout out as well, and I hope you enjoy Limantour Beach when you get a chance. When I had the itch to photograph shorebirds, that was almost always where I was headed. I recommend hiking out the spit just after a high tide is starting to ebb, and to check out both the beach side and the estuary side. Plus there is always a chance to encounter some tule elk in the coastal scrub on the drive there.
Hi Pat. Thanks and thanks also for the tip on Limantour.
This is absolutely stunning, Jim! One of the challenges i’ve found in making photos of sandpipers is that they tend to hang out in places where they blend into the background. You’ve managed to isolate this one against a lovely colour, a contrasting and simple background for a wonderful composition, with great light. Well done! You might be interested in checking out my post on Sandpipers which contains a photo and some info on these amazing little birds.
Hi Laurie and thanks. Thanks also for your link. I agree it can be hard to distinguish among the various kinds of sandpipers.
That’s an interesting shell he’s got hold of.
I wondered what it was and gave up quickly.
This is a beauty, love all your bird pictures. I envy you that you experience this wonderful place
of nature, I live so close (Novato) but have not experienced the serenity of the shore for many years.
Thanks Charlotte. You should put a trip on your calendar. We are very fortunate to have a place like Point Reyes nearby.