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Rock Sandpiper - Calidris ptilocnemis This was a new bird for me this week. I've probably seen them before, but they take a bit of work to differentiate from Surfbirds. Calidris ptilocnemis,Geotagged,Rock sandpiper,United States Click/tap to enlarge PromotedSpecies introCountry intro

Rock Sandpiper - Calidris ptilocnemis

This was a new bird for me this week. I've probably seen them before, but they take a bit of work to differentiate from Surfbirds.

    comments (7)

  1. View Ferdy Christant's profile
    Ferdy Christant
    Lion
    View Lion class
    What is your secret in always getting this close? Posted one year ago
    1. View Mike Melton's profile
      Mike Melton
      Lion
      View Lion class
      First, I have to work alone. It's really tough to get close if you're in a group. If you're with other people, there's too much movement and talking, and I'm just not going to get close.

      Second, I spend some time just observing what the birds are doing and try to anticipate where they might move to next. If they're foraging along the shore like these birds, I'll try to figure out which direction they're foraging or if they have any particular pattern. Then I'll move to where I think they'll be and wait for them to come to me.

      Third, I just try to become part of the habitat. I just try to disappear and become part of the landscape. For this shot, I got down low in the shade (brrr!) amongst the rocks with my boots in the water, and waited. A lot of waiting.

       Posted one year ago
      1. View Patomarazul's profile
        Patomarazul
        Lion
        View Lion class
        Super, thanks for sharing these tips! Adding to this, I also try to not look at them in the eyes and walk towards them directly but side ways and very slowly. That also helps :-) Posted one year ago
        1. View Mike Melton's profile
          Mike Melton
          Lion
          View Lion class
          Absolutely. If I have to move to get closer to the bird, I'll walk perpendicular to them looking away, but at an angle that gets me closer or at a better angle. Posted one year ago
      3. View Ferdy Christant's profile
        Ferdy Christant
        Lion
        View Lion class
        Excellent tips, thank you so much for sharing. Posted one year ago
  3. View Calbost Niel's profile
    Calbost Niel
    Lion
    View Lion class
    A pensive look Posted one year ago
    1. View Mike Melton's profile
      Mike Melton
      Lion
      View Lion class
      Indeed. When bathing, you have to keep checking to make sure nothing's going to eat you! Posted one year ago

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The Rock sandpiper

The rock sandpiper is a small shorebird in the sandpiper family Scolopacidae. This is a hardy sandpiper that breeds in the arctic and subarctic regions of Alaska and the Chukotka and Kamchatka Peninsulas. It is closely related to the purple sandpiper that breeds in arctic regions of northeast Canada and the northwest Palearctic.

Info 1 0
Similar species: Shorebirds And Allies
Species identified by Mike Melton
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By Mike Melton

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Uploaded Dec 18, 2022. Captured in 1489 E Ocean Shores Blvd SW, Ocean Shores, WA 98569, USA.
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